Today, technology is an indispensable part of everyday life. In addition to accompanying us, it assists us in day-to-day tasks. As a result, it will enhance our biological capabilities and allow us to push the boundaries of human capability. This is where human augmentation comes into play to transform us into a literal human 2.0, one that is far superior to its predecessor.
Human augmentation takes place in many ways, from life-saving prosthetics to smart glasses that make virtual experiences better. Three categories of this technology are supplementary, acceleratory, and replicatory augmentation. One enhances the potential of an individual while the other attempts to replace a compromised part of the body.
The most ambitious form, where it aims at exceeding the limits of the human body to transform oneself into a "superhuman". Industry giants like Tesla have already begun exploring neural networks between humans and computers to increase the capacity of the human brain. There have also been a number of startups hoping to break into this emerging market. A few areas where human augmentation has proved to be a boon are:
Biomedical solutions include amputee prosthetics and artificial eyes for patients with degenerative eye diseases. Sugar, blood pressure, and other parameters can already be measured using devices. These devices are extremely useful in detecting illness and assisting in better treatment.
Wearable technology includes smart watches, glasses, and even clothing. The link with computers is provided to provide hands-free digital viewing experiences.
Brain-Human links which take signals from the brain to translate them into inputs which are then processed for an output on a device. Through these links, those with speech disorders and paralysis could communicate verbally through computers simply by using their brain signals.
Artificial Intelligence can learn from human behaviour patterns to develop software that solves complex problems. Analyzing similar or repetitive problems can result in the development of an adaptive problem-solving algorithm.
It can make the world a better place if used consciously. A place where everyone can live equally, regardless of where they come from.
