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Redefining human capabilities -

Human augmentation allows us to perform actions, physical or mental, with the aid of tools that seamlessly integrate into our bodies, pushing the limits of our natural capabilities. It's important to note that these enhancements aren't always grafted directly onto the body, as many augmentations, like wearable devices, enhance our abilities without being physically implanted.

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Foundations of human augmentation -

One of the seminal studies on human augmentation is the article by Douglas Engelbart, American engineer and inventor of the computer mouse, published by the Stanford Research Institute in 1962. This groundbreaking paper laid the foundations for the concept of augmenting human intellect, exploring how technology can enhance our cognitive capabilities.

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Augmenting human intellect -

The excitement surrounding the first computer terminals naturally sparked discussions and led to the emergence of the term "human augmentation." Engelbart's work goes deeper, highlighting that the concept of augmenting human intellect has existed for centuries and is a logical course of development.

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Why do we need enhancements? -

Engelbart demonstrates that initiatives to expand human abilities have deep historical roots, making them essential to our lives. Human beings inherently strive to push their limits and evolve, enhancing both intellect and physical capabilities to ensure a better quality of life.

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Early human augmentation -

Since ancient times, people have strived to replicate lost human abilities. Common examples include glasses to restore vision, prostheses to enable walking or using arms, and hearing aids to enhance hearing. These early forms of human augmentation laid the groundwork for the advanced technologies we use today.

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Physical augmentation -

Replicating compromised abilities is vital in human augmentation. Technologies can now replace lost functions, as companies design and 3D print prosthetics for accident or amputation victims. These innovations greatly restore human capabilities and improve quality of life.

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Blurring the lines -

From the moment a person first used a prosthesis, the boundary between machine and human began to blur. Now, with virtual and real environments coexisting, the distinction grows even murkier. Our gadgets are becoming inseparable parts of human identity and continue to shape our society.

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Beyond human limits -

The second dimension of human augmentation focuses on extending our abilities. This technology allows us to perform tasks that are already possible but with enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. Examples include exoskeletons that boost our strength and head-up displays that improve our concentration while driving.

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Superhuman abilities -

The pinnacle of human augmentation is products that enable users to fly, breathe underwater, see ultraviolet or infrared light, or detect chemicals currently undetectable by human senses. These advancements push the boundaries of what's possible, opening new realms of capability for humanity.

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Human 2.0 -

Nowadays, the human augmentation market is catching media attention for its potential to transform us into "superhumans" or Human 2.0. Advances in brain-computer interfaces are driving us closer to augmented human intelligence, promising enhancements that were once the stuff of science fiction.

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Unlocking the brain's potential -

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can enhance the brain's potential, enabling unmediated interaction between human and machine, and unlocking the potential of neurons. Startups are taking varied approaches: some, like Kernel and NextMind, avoid surgical implantation, while others, such as Neuralink, utilize invasive methods.

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Neuralink's brain chips -

Elon Musk's Neuralink is pioneering brain-computer interfaces, enabling direct communication between the human mind and digital devices. Their advancements, like the N1 brain chip, are already helping individuals with disabilities control robotic arms using thought alone. 

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Inclusive innovation -

The augmentation landscape isn't limited to big tech giants, and small and medium-sized businesses are also joining the revolution. A Capterra study even found that 54% of these companies plan to adopt wearable computing technology within the next two years!

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Wearable interactive technology -

Wearable interactive technology is crucial for human augmentation, seamlessly integrating the physical and digital worlds. It empowers users with non-invasive, easy-to-use extensions to interact with smart objects and augmented information in our hybrid physical-virtual future.

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Immersive realities -

MindPortal is developing a wearable device that enables the brain to create fully immersive realities, either solo or with others. According to Pitchbook's Q2 2021 Emerging Tech Indicator report, the US$5-million investment in MindPortal is a significant move in the tech industry worth watching.

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Pioneering the future of healthcare -

Bioprinting is undeniably one of the most captivating advancements in human augmentation. Organizations like TissueLabs are at the forefront, focusing on creating human organs and tissues in the laboratory. A key role in these companies is the research and development engineer, who drives the innovation and progress in this groundbreaking field.

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The future of longevity -

Aging tech is both challenging and exciting, offering numerous entry and growth opportunities for candidates. Companies like Altos Labs and Calico Labs are at the forefront, pioneering advancements that could reshape our understanding of longevity and healthspan.

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Transforming construction -

Construction workers are already using exoskeletons to boost performance and achieve impressive results. A study by ABI Research forecasts this market alone will reach US$1.9 billion in 2025. Want to get involved? Data scientists will find many opportunities as the demand for talent surges.

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A look into the future -

Smart glasses are harnessing significant resources to enable us to navigate the web more freely. Companies like Netflix and AccuWeather already have apps optimized for smart glasses, creating an excellent opportunity to recruit developers who can lead this trend in the augmentation landscape.

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Revolutionizing language translation -

Becoming a polyglot at the push of a button is more realistic than ever! Timekettle leads the pocket translators sector, earning several renowned awards in the human augmentation market. The company prioritizes user experience, delivering a differentiated and outstanding product that stands out against the competition.

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Artificial intelligence -

Artificial intelligence is already an integral part of our daily lives. Companies across various sectors—finance, recruitment, entertainment, energy, and even food—are rapidly investing in AI technology. The assistance of a "supercomputer" significantly expands our capabilities and possibilities as human beings.

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DeepMind: shaping the future with AI -

One of the most promising companies in the human augmentation market is DeepMind, acquired by Google in 2014. It has shown impressive results with its artificial intelligence, AlphaFold. This AI aims to predict the shape of structured proteins, solving a 50-year-old riddle and revolutionizing the field of biology.

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Blueprints for future human augmentation -

Various other concepts and models in computer science, such as ubiquitous computing, perceptual user interfaces, wearable computing, augmented reality, virtual agents, connected devices, robots, and human-computer integration, may also provide blueprints for the future of human augmentation.

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Can AI replace humans? -

AI is a fascinating field set to play a major role in augmentation scenarios. Much has been discussed about AI assisting a skilled workforce, and while it's clear that many jobs will become obsolete, the potential for creating new roles and supporting existing ones could offer an optimistic perspective on the integration of robots into our work routine.

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Challenges of human augmentation -

Of course, as we increasingly depend on artificial intelligence, more moral questions are evaluated by objective criteria. Most importantly, there is the issue of unfair competition between those who can afford to enhance their human capacities and those who cannot.

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Balancing ethics in human augmentation -

Every institution must address the ethical issues that arise with technological advancement. Ignoring these concerns could lead to irreparable damage to the company's image and the future of our society as a whole. How far can we allow human augmentation to skew the playing field in favor of those who can afford it?

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Augmenting the legal field -

Law professionals are increasingly prepared for ethical challenges in technology. The emergence of lawtechs exemplifies this preparedness, as these startups use human augmentation principles to offer innovative solutions in the legal field, making processes more agile and accessible, and opening up a new realm of possibilities.

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Crafting our own evolution -

While human augmentation offers promising advancements to enhance our lives, many experts stress the potential societal impacts, warning that without careful oversight, this powerful technology could lead to unpredictable outcomes. Navigating this fine line will determine whether our future is one of boundless possibilities or an uncontrollable nightmare.

Sources: (Sutherland) (Taylor & Francis Online) (ScienceDirect) (Airswift) (Gartner)

See also: The future of fitness: How tech is revolutionizing your workouts and health

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