An evaluation of NASA's program in human factors research: Aircrew-vehicle system interaction

Research in human factors in the aircraft cockpit and a proposed program augmentation were reviewed. The dramatic growth of microprocessor technology makes it entirely feasible to automate increasingly more functions in the aircraft cockpit; the promise of improved vehicle performance, efficiency, and safety through automation makes highly automated flight inevitable. An organized data base and validated methodology for predicting the effects of automation on human performance and thus on safety are lacking and without such a data base and validated methodology for analyzing human performance, increased automation may introduce new risks. Efforts should be concentrated on developing methods and techniques for analyzing man machine interactions, including human workload and prediction of performance

A simple and established method of tissue culture of human gingival fibroblasts for gingival augmentation.

Recent advances in tissue engineering technology suggest its application in different medical fields, including periodontology. There are some reports of new non-enzymatic methods of isolating human gingival fibroblast for short-time cultivation in vitro to be used in autologous gingival augmentation. The aim of this study was to obtain a simple and established method of culturing human gingival fibroblasts. The authors developed a recurrent method that can be successfully used in autologous gingival augmentation

Approaching Transhumanism: On How Human Beings Transform in the 21st Century

The following article is to introduce the reader into a cultural and intellectual movement whose aim is to identify the need for improvement in human life in the sphere of physicality as well as mentality with the aid of modern technologies – transhumanism. With the dramatic change in the perception of technology, transhumanist welcome the opportunity to improve cognitive skills, help to perpetuate human happiness, or increase longevity. Although the opponents of the transhumanist thought dismiss it as “the world’s most dangerous idea,” the adversaries advocate that the alternation of human form is both practical and reasonable. With the use of modern technology, enthusiasts of transhumanism try to prove that the human body needs to be re-invented in order to transcend the natural limitations. In my work I will try to tackle the problem of human body being currently subject to gradual transition from Homo Sapiens to Robo Sapiens, the process of ‘becoming’ a cyborg. By incorporating bodily augmentation, contemporary artists such as Stelarc or Neil Harbisson cast a light on the change of physical form, as well as the definition of being human. Evoking much controversy, transhumanism brings a completely new dimension to the understanding of the current human condition

Wearables as Augmentation Means: Conceptual Definition, Pathways, and Research Framework

Wearables pervade many facets of human endeavor, thanks to their integration into everyday artifacts and activities. From fitness bands to medical patches, to augmented reality glasses, wearables have demonstrated immense potential for intelligence augmentation (IA) through human-machine symbiosis. To advance an understanding of how wearables engender IA and to provide a solid foundation for grounding IS research on wearables and IA, this study draws from Engelbart’s framework for augmenting human intellect to: (1) develop a conceptual definition of wearable technology as a digitally enhanced body-borne device that can augment a human or non-human capability by affording context sensitivity, mobility, hands-free interaction, and constancy of operation, (2) extend Engelbart’s framework to the sociomaterial domain to account for the emergence of augmented capabilities that are neither wholly social nor wholly material, and (3) propose and elaborate four augmentation pathways —complementation, supplementation, mediation, and mutual constitution—to facilitate IA research

Intelligence Augmentation: Towards Building Human-Machine Symbiotic Relationship

Artificial intelligence, which people originally modeled after human intelligence, has made significant advances in recent years. These advances have caused many to fear that machines will surpass human intelligence and dominate humans. Intelligence augmentation (IA) has the potential to turn the tension between the two intelligence types into a symbiotic one. Although IA has not gained momentum until recent years, the idea that machines can amplify human abilities has existed for many decades. Expanded from a panel discussion on Intelligence Augmentation at the 2020 International Conference of Information Systems (ICIS), we define IA in light of its history and evolution and classify IA based on its capabilities, roles, and responsibilities. Based on reviewing the IA literature in terms of research themes, enabling technology, and applications, we identify key research issues, challenges, and future opportunities

We Can, But Should We? A Response to Ethical Analysis of Brain Augmentation and Nanotechnology

Science often progresses at rates faster than it can be regulated. Much research has been done in recent years surrounding nanotechnology, mechanisms comprised of various particles between 1 and 100 nm in size that are capable of altering organic and non-organic molecules and atoms. The ethical implications of using such technology have been strongly debated among researchers and ethicists alike, particularly concerning the issue of human brain augmentation. While the definition of what constitutes brain augmentation can vary greatly, for the purposes of this essay, brain augmentation will be defined as the process by which an individual’s higher and lower order brain function are enhanced beyond their natural capabilities with invasive forms of intervention. Individuals that have no external alterations in the neural development cycle including neurogenesis, cell migration, cell differentiation, cell maturation, synaptogenesis, cell death and synaptic pruning, and myelogenesis, have “natural” brain function. Using the ethical theory of principlism and addressing the points offered in Caras and De Jesus’ paper Ethical Analysis of Brain Augmentation and Nanotechnology, this paper will argue that the use of nanotechnology for the purposes of brain augmentation are not morally permissible for they violate the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, and justice