Augmented Humans – Bridging the Gap

In this instalment of our Future State series, Pat Harrington embarks on a profound exploration challenging conventional wisdom—the illusion of division between artificial intelligence (AI), humans, and robots.

Contrary to prevailing notions, the once well-defined boundaries separating these entities are dissolving, paving the way for the emergence of augmented humans. Simultaneously, propelled by advancing technology, including gene editing, transformative applications in companies like Intuitive Surgical, Inc., collaborative innovations such as cobots, the integration of powered exoskeletons, and ethical considerations surrounding AI, we find ourselves on the brink of a new epoch in human evolution and regeneration. In this narrative, we delve deeper into the philosophical and practical implications of augmenting human capabilities.

The Integration of AI and Humans: Augmented Intelligence

As AI technologies progress at an unprecedented pace, our perception of their potential applications undergoes a transformation. It is imperative to discard the notion of AI systems as isolated entities and, instead, envision them as tools amplifying our cognitive capacities. Coined by research analyst Gartner, the term “augmented intelligence” encapsulates the synergy between humans and AI systems, resulting in heightened decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity (1).

The medical field exemplifies the revolutionary potential of this integration. AI-powered diagnostic tools enhance disease detection accuracy, leading to improved patient outcomes. This collaboration empowers healthcare professionals to channel their efforts towards personalized patient care, thereby elevating the overall quality of medical services. (2)

In this landscape, companies like Intuitive Surgical, Inc. contribute significantly. This American corporation specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes through minimally invasive surgery. Their flagship da Vinci Surgical System, controlled by surgeons from a console, is a pioneering example of how robotic systems can transform surgical procedures. (3)

Blurring the Lines with Robotics: Collaborative Evolution

The convergence of humans and robots extends into the realm of robotics, giving rise to collaborative robots or “cobots” that seamlessly work alongside humans. (4) This collaboration is not about replacing human workers but enhancing productivity, safety, and precision in shared workspaces. The advent of exoskeletons further blurs the boundaries between humans and machines, revolutionizing rehabilitation and physical performance across diverse industries. (5)

Additionally, companies like Intuitive Surgical showcase how robots in surgery have revolutionized the medical field. Their da Vinci Surgical System facilitates complex surgeries using a minimally invasive approach, with surgeons controlling the system from a console. With over 8 million surgeries worldwide, the da Vinci system has become a benchmark for robotic surgical systems. (6)

Although robots are put to a variety of tasks in surgery, their use as a tool in performing laparoscopy – otherwise known as keyhole surgery – has attracted the most attention within and outside medicine. Keyhole surgery reduces the time patients need to recover by operating through smaller incisions. This subsequently reduces the chance that patients catch infections, and so accelerates their recoveries. Surgeons are physically limited by their bodies. Their minds are limited in their capacity to learn and improve. Without robots, keyhole surgery requires a very high level of skill. Surgeons need to operate at awkward angles, moving their hands in the opposite direction to that in which they want their instruments to move inside the body. With robots, surgeons can perform more complex operations that might otherwise have demanded open surgery, they suffer less physical strain, and they require less training time. Moreover, they are getting better at using the robots.

In parallel, collaborative robots, or cobots, are altering the nature of work across industries. Designed to work safely alongside humans, cobots are freeing up human coworkers to focus on more high-value tasks, thus enhancing employee satisfaction.

Examples include:

Whiz: An autonomous vacuum cleaner by SoftBank Robotics deployed globally in hotels, senior living facilities, schools, and universities, freeing up human coworkers for more high-value tasks. (7) (8)

Kay Manufacturing: Using cobots for visual inspections of automotive parts, allowing the company to grow and hire more employees. (9)

Hyundai: Employing cobots as exoskeletons worn by industrial workers, enhancing their endurance and strength. According to a press release by Hyundai, the company has developed a wearable robot called the Vest EXoskeleton (VEX) that is designed to assist industrial workers who spend long hours working in overhead environments. The VEX enhances productivity and reduces fatigue of industrial workers by imitating the movement of human joints to boost load support and mobility. The wearable vest features a polycentric axis – combining multiple pivot points with multi-link muscular assistance – to function, eliminating the need for a battery. At 2.5kg, VEX weighs 22-42% less than competing products and is worn like a backpack. The user places their arms through the shoulder straps of the vest, then fastens the chest and waist buckles. The back section can adjust in length by up to 18 cm to fit a variety of body sizes, while the degree of force assistance can be adjusted over six levels – up to as much as 5.5 kgf (10)

Stenner: This maker of water treatment pumps, tanks, injection systems has acquired a cobot called Baxter, a two-armed robot by Rethink Robotics, to feed parts directly from manufacture into packaging. According to a news article by the Financial Times, Stenner Pump Company,, The cobot has reduced human handling by 75%. (11)

Cobots are also making strides in healthcare, and not just in operating rooms. To give one example, robotic rehabilitation systems have been found to effectively complement conventional physical therapy. For instance, robot-assisted gait and upper-limb training have been shown to positively affect post-stroke recovery. (12)

The Rise of Augmented Humans and Gene Editing: Navigating Evolution

Building on these advancements, the concept of augmented humans becomes a focal point. The integration of AI systems and robotic technologies with humans extends beyond mere enhancement of physical and cognitive abilities; it propels us towards a new era of human evolution. Simultaneously, gene editing technologies, coupled with innovative applications in companies like Intuitive Surgical, allow us to manipulate our biological makeup, opening doors to unprecedented advancements in human regeneration.

Consider the implications of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). These interfaces, forging direct connections between the brain and external devices, hold promise in assisting individuals with paralysis to regain mobility and communicate with the external world5. As these interfaces evolve, they may enable humans not only to enhance cognitive capabilities but also to access information rapidly, pushing the boundaries of human consciousness.

Brain Informatics provides an overview of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that facilitates communication between the brain and computer. The article discusses how BCI can restore the capabilities of physically challenged people, hence improving the quality of their lives. BCI has revolutionized and positively impacted several industries, including entertainment and gaming, automation and control, education, neuromarketing, and neuroergonomics. The article also discusses the challenges and potential threats limiting exploitation of BCI capabilities, such as privacy and security concerns (13).

Richtopia discusses the ethical, social, and legal questions raised by developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, education, and entertainment, but they also raise concerns about privacy, informed consent, and societal inequality (14).

U.S. GAO provides a report on the science and technology spotlight of brain-computer interfaces. The report discusses the possible legal and security implications of BCIs, such as cyberattacks and national security concerns (15).

In this evolution, powered exoskeletons play a pivotal role. Companies like ATOUN, Innophys, Cyberdyne, RB3D, and Sarcos Robotics are pioneers in developing commercial class powered exoskeletons that augment human capabilities in various industries:

ATOUN: The Power Assist ARM is a commercial class powered exoskeleton that aids workers in lifting more for longer durations, reducing the chance of strain and injuries6. It reduces the burden on the lower back by sensing the movement of the lower back and using a powerful motor to hold up heavy loads. The robot has three operation modes that switch automatically, including assist mode, which assists in raising the body with a straightened lower back.(16) ATOUN also aims to assist the everyday lives of the elderly with its wearable robot, the Power Assist Suit. The company aims to achieve a “Power-Barrierless Society” where people can work regardless of their age and gender (17)

Innophys: The Muscle Suit, another commercial class powered exoskeleton, enhances human performance by alleviating the burden on the user’s muscles.

Cyberdyne: The HAL for Labor Support is a wearable exoskeleton designed to assist workers in lifting heavy objects with ease6.

RB3D: HERCULE, a commercial class powered exoskeleton, aids workers in performing heavy lifting, extended squatting, lifting, bending, and walking around a company’s facilities.

Sarcos Robotics: The Guardian XO, a commercial class powered exoskeleton, assists workers in safely and efficiently lifting, pulling, pushing, transporting, and manipulating loads7.

Unlocking the Potential of Gene Editing: Precision in Evolution

Gene editing is a revolutionary capability, enabling highly specific changes in the DNA sequence of living organisms8. Specialized technologies, including the CRISPR-Cas9 system, have become instrumental in this process. CRISPR-Cas9, a molecular tool, stands out as a revolutionary technology that allows scientists to edit genes with unprecedented precision8.

CRISPR-Cas9 operates by using a guide RNA molecule to target a specific DNA sequence, followed by the Cas9 enzyme cutting the DNA at that precise location8. This precise editing mechanism grants scientists the ability to leverage the cell’s natural repair mechanisms to introduce new genetic material or modify existing genetic material.

Gene editing is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and human life. Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, have the potential to correct genetic defects and enhance desirable traits, but they also raise ethical concerns and debates 1. It is crucial to balance the transformative potential of gene editing with ethical guidelines that ensure responsible and accountable use of these technologies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations on human genome editing for the advancement of public health, with an emphasis on safety, effectiveness, and ethics. The WHO’s recommendations focus on systems-level improvements needed to build capacity in all countries to ensure that human genome editing is used safely, effectively, and ethically. The reports also provide a new governance framework that identifies specific tools, institutions, and scenarios to illustrate practical challenges in implementing, regulating, and overseeing research into the human genome. (18)

Addressing AI Fears and Misconceptions: A Call for Understanding

Despite the promising trajectory, fears surrounding AI persist, giving rise to concerns about job displacement, loss of control, and ethical implications. It is crucial to address these fears and shed light on why some apprehensions might be unfounded.

Job Displacement: Historical precedents, such as the Industrial Revolution, demonstrate that technology often transforms rather than eliminates jobs. AI, in collaboration with humans, has the potential to enhance productivity and create new opportunities in unforeseen sectors.

Loss of Control: Current AI systems are designed with human oversight, and ethical guidelines are in place to ensure responsible development. The emphasis is on collaboration rather than relinquishing control, fostering a partnership that leverages the strengths of both humans and machines.

Ethical Implications: While concerns about AI making unethical decisions or perpetuating biases are valid, ongoing efforts in ethical AI development aim to create transparent, fair, and accountable systems.

Ethical Considerations in AI and Robotics: Navigating the Path

As we traverse the landscape of AI and robotics, ethical concerns loom large. Privacy and surveillance, bias and discrimination, and the role of human judgment are among the critical issues demanding attention9. Acknowledging the dire threat that AI poses to humankind, developed nations have recently met to sign a statement stressing the “need for international action” to address this threat10.

In response to these concerns, several initiatives have been undertaken to outline ethical guidelines for both the design and operation of AI systems. The IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems has developed guidelines for the ethical design and development of AI and autonomous systems11. Similarly, the European Union has proposed ethical guidelines for trustworthy AI12.

Researchers are actively working to develop AI systems that are more transparent and explainable, aiming to make their decision-making processes better understood and scrutinized1. These initiatives represent crucial steps toward addressing ethical concerns, fostering a responsible and accountable AI landscape.

Embracing the Future: A Harmonious Coexistence

The perceived division between AI, humans, and robots is a misleading dichotomy that overlooks the vast potential of integrated and augmented technologies. As we stand at the intersection of AI, robotics, gene editing, collaborative innovations like cobots, and the integration of powered exoskeletons, we find ourselves at the crossroads of a new stage in human evolution and regeneration.

Understanding the philosophical and practical implications of these technological trends, coupled with addressing ethical concerns, is crucial for navigating the future. By acknowledging the convergence of AI, humans, robots, gene editing, and powered exoskeletons, and taking proactive measures to address ethical considerations, we unlock unprecedented opportunities to augment our capabilities, enrich our lives, and shape a future where humanity and technology coexist seamlessly.

Declaration Of Interest

Pat Harrington owns shares in some of the companies highlighted within the article. It is advisable for readers to consider this information while interpreting the insights shared by Mr. Harrington, recognizing the potential influence of personal investments on his perspective.

References

1. Gartner. (2017). Augmented Intelligence Is the Future of the Analytics and BI. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/augmented-intelligence-is-the-future-of-analytics-and-bi/
   2: IEEE Computer Society. (2023, February 11). AI Impact on Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/community-voices/ai-impact-on-medical-diagnosis-treatment 1: Philips. (2022, November 24). 10 real-world examples of AI in healthcare. Retrieved from https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/features/2022/20221124-10-real-worlhttps://www.ft.com/content/6d5d609e-02e2-11e6-af1d-c47326021344d-examples-of-ai-in-healthcare.html
   3: Intuitive Surgical. (n.d.). Da Vinci Robotic Surgical Systems. Retrieved from https://www.intuitive.com/en-us/products-and-services/da-vinci
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00170-020-05363-1
3. https://www.makeuseof.com/what-are-exoskeletons-how-do-they-work/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Vinci_Surgical_System
5. SoftBank Robotics EMEA. (n.d.). Whiz | Cobotic Solutions. Retrieved from https://emea.softbankrobotics.com/cleaning/whiz
6. ICE Robotics. (2019, November 19). SoftBank and ICE Cobotics Launch Whiz Commercial Autonomous Vacuum Sweeper. Retrieved from https://us.icecobotics.com/press-release/softbank-and-ice-robotics-launch-whiz-commercial-autonomous-vacuum-sweeper
7. https://www.pressherald.com/2018/10/18/cobots-are-here-to-help-workers-do-their-job-not-replace-them/
8. https://www.hyundai.news/uk/articles/press-releases/hyundai-develops-wearable-vest-exoskeleton-for-overhead-work.html
9. https://www.ft.com/content/6d5d609e-02e2-11e6-af1d-c47326021344
10. https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2020/05/11/collaborative-robots-a-helping-hand-in-healthcare/32189/
11. https://braininformatics.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40708-023-00199-3
12. https://richtopia.com/emerging-technologies/ai-and-ethics-the-impacts-of-brain-computer-interfaces/
13. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-106118
    16.https://www.toamec.co.jp/product/pr06_sub02_e.html
14. https://news.panasonic.com/global/topics/5202
15. https://www.who.int/news/item/12-07-2021-who-issues-new-recommendations-on-human-genome-editing-for-the-advancement-of-public-health