Augmentacj

Augmentacj is a term used to describe the practice and study of technologies that extend human abilities. It covers digital augmentation (augmented reality and AI-assisted cognition), physical augmentation (advanced prosthetics, exoskeletons, neural interfaces), and biological augmentation (tissue engineering, gene editing, regenerative therapies). The term is more common in Polish-language discussions but appears in international contexts as well.

Etymology and usage. The word appears to derive from augmentacja, the Polish word for augmentation, combined with an English suffix. It is used as a generic label, sometimes as a project name or in speculative writing, and its precise definition varies by field.

Applications and research. In healthcare, augmentacj aims to restore or expand function with neural prostheses and rehabilitative devices. In technology, it includes interfaces that merge digital information with perception and devices that extend cognition. In industry and defense, it is discussed in terms of performance and resilience.

Ethics and regulation. Debates focus on safety, privacy, equity of access, and long-term societal impact. Regulators address medical device standards, data protection, and informed consent. Critics warn against hype, coercion, and widening disparities.

See also: augmentation, cyborg, neural interface, human enhancement.