Cybernetic Humanity Seminar Series is a research talk series that invites a broad range of researchers from Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Embodiment, Virtual Reality, Neuroscience, and Human-Computer Integration.

Speaker: Shunichi Kasahara, Researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.

Title: Exploring the new humanity emerging from the integration of humans and computers

Abstract : When humans integrate with computers, to what extent are we still ourselves? Computers are no longer just tools for humans, but are deeply intervening in our bodies and behavior. When humans integrate with computers and acquire abilities and different bodies beyond what we currently possess, how do we define our own humanity? I am researching “Cybernetic Humanity,” which is a new concept of humanity that emerges from the integration of humans and computers, through the intersection of computer science and human science. My research will focus on augmenting perception, cognition, and embodiment, elucidating the ‘self’ through subjective experiences and understanding the dynamics of humanity that are woven by the integration of humans and computers. The exploration of Cybernetic Humanity requires connecting and discussing the contradictory and complex nature of augmented physicality and inherited humanity. To tackle this, I adopt not only a reductive approach but also a circular experiential research process that involves creating and analyzing new “experiences” of the body and humanity as an open system. I aim to bring about new science in human-computer integration and lead to co-evolutionary and co-creative relationships between humans and computers.