Is AI Bringing Us Closer To Becoming Cyborgs?

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

When you hear the word '"cyborg," you might think of something out of a sci-fi movie - half human, half machine, with shiny robotic parts. But hang on, because we might be closer to this reality than you think!

With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a big part of our lives, you could say that we’re already starting to become cyborgs. Just not in the flashy way that Hollywood shows.

Here’s a look, from my perspective as someone who has a degree in biomedical engineering and medicine, at what being a cyborg really means and how AI fits into this picture. And, yes, I used AI to help generate the outline and research some data for this post, but this is mostly me speaking to you.

What Is A Cyborg?

First, let's define what a cyborg actually is. The word "cyborg" is a mix of "cybernetic" and "organism." Basically, it means a being that combines biological parts with technology to get abilities that go beyond what normal humans can do. So, a cyborg is part human and part technological upgrade.

In simpler terms, a cyborg could be any person who uses technology to boost their abilities. It could be something like a cardiac pacemaker, a cochlear implant that helps someone hear, or a prosthetic limb that lets someone move around better.

The first day I began working as a medical director for a state job, back in the early 1990s, a nurse that I had not even met yet came up to me and said, "You're a cyborg!" After having a perplexed look on my face she said "You wear glasses." I thought it was a ridiculous way to introduce herself, but she was correct in the broadest sense of the definition of a cyborg. Lol 😎

The Current State Of AI And Human Augmentation

AI has slowly made its way into almost every part of our lives - from the virtual assistants on our phones to the apps that suggest what music we should listen to. But AI isn’t just about making our lives easier; it’s also becoming a part of how we enhance our own abilities.

A simple example is wearable AI tech. Smart glasses can help us make sense out of what we see and smartwatches can check our vitals and give us health tips in real-time. This kind of tech shows that the line between humans and machines is becoming blurry. These aren’t just cool gadgets - they’re tools that improve our physical and mental abilities, bringing us closer to being more "cyborg-like," and someday they will become implantable, like some of the tech I've mentioned above.

The Role Of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Brain-Computer Interfaces, or BCIs, are one of the coolest developments when it comes to AI taking us to the next level! Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, is one of the big names working on this. The idea is to connect our brains directly to computers so we can boost our memory, thinking skills, or even communicate better.

The AI here plays a huge role. It translates the brain’s electrical signals into actions, like moving a robotic arm or typing a message. We’re not totally there yet, but the potential is huge. Imagine being able to download a new skill straight into your brain or talk without using words. BCIs could change everything, turning us from tech users into true human-machine hybrids!

What About A Hive Mentality?

Another idea worth thinking about is whether AI could bring us closer to a hive mentality, like the Borg from Star Trek. The Borg is a group connected by a collective mind (in case you didn't know), where everyone thinks and acts as one. They have no individual thoughts, only the collective.

There are some benefits to this. If people could connect their minds through AI, we could share knowledge instantly. Imagine learning a skill, like playing the guitar, just by connecting to a network of others. We could solve problems faster, work together more easily, and understand each other better.

But there are major downsides. Losing individual thoughts and identity is scary. If we all thought the same way, would we still be ourselves? Would creativity and personal choices disappear? In Star Trek, the Borg lost all sense of who they were - they had no personal freedom.

There's also the risk of control. If someone took over the hive, they could make everyone do whatever they wanted. Giving up individuality might make us powerful, but it could also mean losing what makes us human!

Ethical Considerations And Privacy Challenges

Of course, this brings up some tough questions. If AI makes us more like cyborgs, what does that mean for our humanity? Are we still fully ourselves if our thoughts and memories are helped or changed by AI? And who gets access to these technologies - will only rich people be able to afford these upgrades? That could make the gap between rich and poor even bigger.

There are also big concerns about privacy and control. If AI is connected to our bodies, who owns all that data? Could someone hack into your brain-computer interface and control what you think or do? These are big questions we need to answer before we dive too deep into the cyborg world!

What The Future Holds

So, is AI bringing us closer to becoming cyborgs? Definitely. But maybe not in the way you first thought when you clicked on this article. We’re not all going to have half-metal faces and laser eyes (at least not anytime soon). Instead, we’re headed for a future where AI and technology help us think, move, and live better.

It’s all about small steps. It’s about making little improvements to what we can do by using technology. AI is leading the way - one smartwatch, one neural link, one upgrade at a time. The real question is how far we want to take it and how we handle the ethical challenges that come with it.

Tell Me What You Think!

Being a cyborg should be about mixing the best of being human with the benefits of technology to make life better, but how can we guarantee that will happen?

Either way, we need to start thinking about what kind of cyborgs we really want to be.

What makes you excited or nervous about using AI to become more of a cyborg?

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~90% Human-written content.