Cyborghuman

Cyborghuman is a concept describing a person who combines human biology with cybernetic or digital augmentation to extend or enhance physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. The term foregrounds a continuum between unaugmented humans and fully automated machines, emphasizing ongoing integration of technology within the body and nervous system.

Etymology and usage: The word is a portmanteau of cybernetic and human, occasionally written cyborg human. It appears in science fiction, technoethics discussions, and some academic writings as a way to discuss persons who are neither fully human nor fully machine, but something in between. Different authors may apply different degrees of augmentation, from prosthetic enhancements to neural interfaces.

Technologies involved: The concept envisions devices such as implanted sensors, neural interfaces, advanced prosthetics, sensory augmentation (for vision or hearing), and AI-assisted decision support. Real-world research in brain–computer interfaces, neural implants, and smart prostheses informs much of the discussion, even as practical, widespread cyborghumans remain speculative.

Implications: Debates focus on safety, privacy, autonomy, identity, and equity. Ethical and regulatory concerns include informed consent for lifelong augmentation, risk of coercion, data security, and unequal access that could create social divides between augmented and unaugmented people.

See also: cyborg, human enhancement, neurotechnology, brain-computer interface.