Designing Computers' Control Over Our Bodies (Dagstuhl Seminar 24232)

Abstract

The classical human-computer interaction (HCI) model characterised interactions as predominantly user-directed, with the computer acting as a responder to human commands. This paradigm had been foundational, yet contemporary research pivoted towards more reciprocal roles, where the machine not only responded but also asserted control. This emerging domain, characterised by technologies such as electrical muscle stimulation, galvanic vestibular stimulation, and exoskeletons, introduced a new dynamic - computational control over the human body. Such technologies offered significant benefits, like enhanced safety in autonomous vehicles and increased mobility through autonomous exoskeletons. However, these advancements also ushered in ethical, psychological, and physical concerns, paralleling earlier fears associated with technologies that aimed to control human psychology.
The absence of a structured theoretical framework to articulate and evaluate the experiences of being controlled by a machine was evident, as was a comprehensive understanding of how to design such interactions responsibly. This Dagstuhl Seminar sought to bridge these gaps by convening experts from academia and industry. The seminar explored multidisciplinary approaches to the design challenges and societal implications of computational control over the human body. Through collaborative discourse, the event aimed to foster a deeper understanding of this complex interaction paradigm, contributing towards a more humane technological future by integrating diverse insights and expertise.