Beyond Human: Cognitive and Physical Augmentation through AI, Robotics, and XR – Opportunities and Risks

The rapid advancement of AI, robotics, and extended reality (XR) is redefining human augmentation, enhancing cognition, physical ability, perception, and human-computer collaboration. However, as augmentation systems become more autonomous and integrated into daily life, they introduce ethical, accessibility, governance, and control challenges. Key questions arise:

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  If an AI-powered exoskeleton moves before you intend it to, is it assisting or taking control? How do we ensure augmentation enhances human agency rather than overriding it? (Mueller et al., 2020; Dieing, 2024)

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  If AI contributes to design or writing, who owns the final product—the human or the machine? How does AI redefine creativity and authorship? (Li et al., 2024)

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  If only those who can afford AI-powered enhancements access them, does this innovation risk deepening inequality? How can we ensure augmentation remains inclusive? (Tong et al., 2024; Nanayakkara et al., 2023)

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  Why do some fear AI augmentation while others embrace it? How does public perception influence adoption? (Stein et al., 2024)

Human-computer symbiosis extends beyond interaction to full integration, raising questions about bodily agency, control, and ownership (Mueller et al., 2020; Dieing, 2024). Diening (Dieing, 2024) emphasizes balancing automation with oversight to maintain human agency. Barbareschi et al. (Barbareschi et al., 2023) explore controlling multiple robotic avatars for remote work, demonstrating how shared control mechanisms allow disabled users to perform tasks remotely, but also raising concerns about agency and physical presence. Takashita et al. (Takashita et al., 2024) investigate Embodied Tentacle, where users control robotic extensions like natural limbs, revealing the brain’s adaptability to new augmentations. Inami et al. (Inami et al., 2022) propose JIZAI Body, blending digital and physical augmentations for seamless movement, suggesting a future where robotic limbs could be interchangeable. Beyond individual augmentation, Yamamura et al. (Yamamura et al., 2023) introduce Social Digital Cyborgs, which enhance teamwork, communication, and collective intelligence by using wearable robotic extensions. Zhou et al. examines how the supernumerary with different degrees of intelligence is perceived and managed by humans(Zhou et al., 2025).

Assistive technologies are advancing accessibility in augmentation design. Tong et al. (Tong et al., 2024) and Withana (Withana, 2023) stress the importance of co-designing assistive tools with users, as excluding them often leads to impractical solutions. Nanayakkara et al. (Nanayakkara et al., 2023) propose user-driven frameworks that integrate bodily adaptation and ability constraints. Wearable robotic augmentation is also evolving, with Abadian et al. (Saberpour Abadian et al., 2023) introducing WRLKit, a computational tool enabling non-experts to prototype personalized robotic limbs, shifting from rigid pre-designed solutions to adaptable, user-driven augmentation.

Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping creativity but introduces debates on authorship, transparency, and dependence on AI-driven workflows. Li et al. (Li et al., 2024) examine UX professionals’ perceptions of GenAI, revealing a divide between those who see it as an efficiency tool and those who fear homogenization in creative outputs. Li et al. (Li, 2024) explore synthetic UX research, where AI-generated data simulates user feedback at scale, but this method raises concerns about reliability, bias, and the potential for replacing genuine human input with algorithmic insights. GenAI is also influencing digital embodiment. Xie et al. (Xie et al., 2024) demonstrate how AI-powered visualization enhances wheelchair dance choreography, expanding accessibility and artistic expression while challenging traditional notions of authorship and artistic interpretation.

Extended Reality (XR) and haptic interfaces redefine embodied augmentation by creating immersive, sensory-rich experiences that facilitate natural interactions. Withana et al. (Withana et al., 2018) introduce Tacttoo, a thin, skin-applied haptic interface that provides real-time tactile feedback without bulky hardware. Perera et al. (Perera et al., 2024) develop 3D-printed electro-tactile interfaces that integrate force sensing, offering precise and intuitive haptic augmentation. Researchers are also expanding sensory augmentation beyond vision and hearing. Uyama et al. (Uyama et al., 2023) propose a system that translates music into haptic and physiological sensations, enabling multi-sensory engagement for individuals with hearing impairments.

While augmentation expands human capabilities, governance frameworks are needed to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency. Cath (Cath, 2018) highlights regulatory oversight for public trust, and Stein et al. (Stein et al., 2024) examine how trust in AI is shaped by media, exposure, and personality traits. Ethical challenges such as affordability, bias, privacy, and access must be addressed to ensure augmentation benefits society rather than exacerbating divides.

This workshop aligns with Augmented Humans 2025 by tackling these key issues at the intersection of AI, augmentation, and ethics. Through expert talks and discussions, the workshop will:

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   Explore emerging augmentation technologies across cognitive, physical, and sensory domains.

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   Identify risks related to autonomy, agency, security, and bias in AI-powered augmentation.

3. (3)

   Develop ethical guidelines for responsible augmentation.

By fostering multidisciplinary dialogue, this workshop ensures that AI-driven human augmentation remains transparent, inclusive, and ethically sound.

This half-day, in-person workshop will feature a mix of keynotes, moderated discussions, and group presentations aimed at exploring the potential and risks of augmentation technologies. We plan to have the following activities:

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  Keynote and Expert Talks (60 mins). Invited speakers from AI, robotics, neuroscience, and human augmentation will present leading research findings and real-world applications. Potential keynotes: Prof. Masahiko Inami (Embodied Intelligence), Prof. Kai Kunze (Wearable Augmentation), Dr. Alexandra Diening (Human-AI Symbiosis).

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  Lightning Talks (30 mins). Each participant will give a brief self-introduction and share their research or ethical challenges related to augmentation.

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  Moderated Discussion (60 mins) . Separate participants into three groups. Each group will independently explore AI control, augmentation misuse, and regulatory needs through thought-provoking questions, including but not limited to:

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    If you had full control over an additional robotic limb or avatar, what kind of tasks would you delegate to it, and what challenges might arise in seamlessly integrating it into your daily workflow?

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    In co-designing assistive augmentation tools, what are common mismatches between what designers assume users need and what users actually need? Can you share examples where user input drastically changed a design decision?

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    Have you ever encountered a situation where a generative AI tool produced an outcome that was “technically correct” but fundamentally unusable? How did you adapt, and what does that tell us about human-AI collaboration?

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    What is the most compelling real-world use case for haptic feedback in XR or augmentation that you’ve seen? What made it effective, and where do you see current limitations?

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    If a powerful AI-driven augmentation system could either amplify your strengths or compensate for your weaknesses, which would you choose? What ethical dilemmas arise in making such a decision?

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  Group Presentation (45 min). Each group will have 12 minutes to present their discussion results, followed by 3 minutes for Q&A.

Key workshop outcomes include a Workshop Position Paper summarizing findings and future research directions, along with ethical guidelines to ensure augmentation aligns with human values. Participants will also contribute to design ideas and research challenges for further exploration. The workshop will foster collaborations between academia, industry, and policymakers to drive interdisciplinary efforts toward safe and impactful augmentation solutions.

This workshop welcomes 20–25 participants, including academics, industry professionals, and researchers in HCI, AI, robotics, neuroscience, XR, and cognitive augmentation. We also invite experts in ethics, security, and policy-making who contribute to the responsible development of human augmentation technologies. We invite submissions on augmentation, including:

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  Short position papers (2 pages) on cognitive and physical augmentation.

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  Demonstrations of AI-enhanced assistive technologies and augmentation prototypes.

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  Case studies and ethical debates presented as position papers, posters, or slides, addressing risks, governance challenges, and societal impact.

To attract a diverse and engaged audience, we will promote the workshop through conference mailing lists, social media platforms, and direct invitations to key researchers and industry leaders in augmentation technologies. A juried process will be implemented to ensure the selection of high-quality submissions, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity in participation.

Jie Li is a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher and the Chief Scientific Officer at the Human-AI Symbiosis Alliance. Her research focuses on designing experiences and developing evaluation methods for emerging technologies, including Extended Reality and Human-AI Interaction. She also writes a column for ACM Interactions, titled Bits to Bites, where she reflects on HCI research methodologies in both academic and industry contexts.