Human augmentation

Definition

Human augmentation is the place where technology and human perception meet: Signals on or in humans as well as in their environment are recorded, evaluated and combined. Data collected sporadically or continuously in the human body is often combined with environmental data and compared with biological, physical or general models. Among other things, brain-computer interfaces are used to read out selected regions of the brain or influence them through targeted impulses. Such brain-computer interfaces are currently used for research purposes and in therapy. 

Current applications and opportunities

Human augmentation is already being used today to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in many areas. In medicine and rehabilitation, for example, cochlear implants – a kind of electronic hearing aid – improve patients’ sensory capabilities. Prostheses with sensor interfaces and exoskeletons help people with physical disabilities gain new mobility. Wearables such as smartwatches or implantable sensors monitor patients’ health data in real time and support preventive and therapeutic measures. Exoskeletons are already being used in the workplace to reduce physical strain or make complex tasks easier. 

Some neurological diseases such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s, as well as mental illnesses such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression or addictive behaviour, are believed to be caused by malfunctions of certain regions of the brain. In neuromodulation therapies for the treatment of such diseases, electrodes are implanted to regulate the defective electrical activity. 

The research groups led by Jocelyne Bloch and Grégoire Courtine have developed innovative implants for the spinal cord that stimulate and control the torso and leg muscles. In combination with artificial intelligence, this has enabled paralysed patients to walk again. 

Even though initial medical successes have been achieved, there is still a great need for further research. New methods of artificial intelligence can be used to answer previously unanswerable questions. This can lead to new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Human augmentation is also likely to have disruptive potential in the world of work: By combining physiological data from humans with physical data from the environment and using brain-computer interfaces, it will be possible to make work processes more precise and effective. In turn, this will promote innovation within companies – all decisive advantages in a highly competitive market such as Switzerland. 

Challenges

Despite the promising outlook, the development of human augmentation still faces numerous challenges. Significant advances in our understanding of brain regions and their functions, higher spatial resolution imaging and improvements in the materials and design of brain implants are needed to guarantee their long-term stability. There is also potential for higher quality and better synchronisation of the data collected. Other obstacles include data protection and ethical issues related to the manipulation of thoughts or memories, the misuse of technology by autocratic systems such as employers or governments and by the military, but also with regard to the animal testing required for the further development of technology. 

Little is known about this field of research among the public. This is also reflected in the relatively low number of students in Switzerland. In addition, the regulatory hurdles for research funding are extremely high compared to other countries – particularly when it comes to approving animal testing or for clinical applications. Obtaining the necessary approvals often takes months – a clear competitive disadvantage for Swiss researchers. In addition, this results in animal testing being outsourced to countries with lower ethical standards, while talented individuals choose to move elsewhere. This makes it difficult for start-ups in Switzerland to acquire the necessary risk capital. This could be remedied by means of rational argumentation, transparency in research objectives and less populism in political debate, as well as a stronger focus in universities on the measurable and commercialisable impact of research. 

Focus on industry

For industrial users, human augmentation primarily has a role to play in production, where it can reduce the workload for employees and make processes more efficient. The production of brain-computer interfaces requires high-precision manufacturing processes and interdisciplinary teams with expertise in biology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics. At the same time, this increases the demands placed on skilled workers, as both technical and communication skills are required. While the training of skilled workers has taken on board these needs, there are still too few graduates overall to meet the demand in commercial development. 

International perspective 

The Swiss research landscape has strong international connections and plays a key role in the field of human augmentation. Switzerland is also (still) in a good position when it comes to commercialisation. However, there is an emerging gap at international level as other countries, such as China, are ramping up their efforts significantly. Under-funded research and high regulatory hurdles are making it difficult for Switzerland to close this gap.  

Future applications 

With increasingly precise stimulation of brain areas, growing knowledge of functional connections, more powerful implants (greater bandwidth and improved long-term stability) and/or targeted delivery of drugs directly into the brain, new possibilities for the treatment of neurological and mental illnesses are emerging. A goal in the distant future could be to detect not only the faulty signals of the nerve fibres, but also the changes in the thoughts that cause these faulty signals. 

In industry, increased use of brain-computer interfaces could spark a revolution in the medium to long term: Not only will human-to-human communication change, but so too will the way people respond to their environment.  

Human augmentation and, in particular, the use of brain-computer interfaces, are disruptive processes that are likely to have more far-reaching consequences than artificial intelligence. This has implications not only for medical applications, but also for the world of work and for how people live alongside one another. However, ethical considerations raise the question of in which countries and under which forms of government this development should take place. Clear framework conditions and political decisions are needed. Switzerland has a strong foundation in research and development in human augmentation and, as a democratic location with high ethical standards, is ideally placed to play a pioneering role. However, this will require regulatory hurdles to be lowered and investment to be made in training skilled workers and promoting start-ups.