Principia Centauri
The Centaurian Manifesto: Envisioning a Future Fueled by Human-Machine Symbiosis
The hope is that, in not too many years, human brains and computing machines will be coupled together very tightly, and that the resulting partnership will think as no human brain has ever thought and process data in a way not approached by the information-handling machines we know today.
J. C. R. Licklider
March 1960
In 1960, JCR Licklider, a visionary in psychology and computer science, prophesied a future where human brains and computers would form an unprecedented partnership, thinking in ways beyond our current capabilities. This vision has captivated my imagination and fueled my career at the nexus of technology and human cognition.
As a child, I discovered the magic of programming at nine, a gateway into a lifelong journey intertwining brains and computers. My academic foray into AI in the early nineties, exploring neural networks and parallel computation, was just the beginning. Influenced by Donald Norman, I delved into interface design when command lines ruled the digital world. My journey through cognitive science and neuroscience led me to pioneer what is now known as behavioral design. Each technological wave brought us closer to Licklider's dream of human-machine symbiosis.
The smartphone revolution marked a pivotal shift. We broke free from the shackles of desktops, only to bind ourselves more intimately to our devices. In my TEDx talk on "Mind 4.0," I discussed augmenting our minds with technology, inspired by Andy Clark's concept of extended cognition. Humans have always externalized thought – from cave paintings to computers, we've used tools to expand our cognitive horizons.
For over a decade, I've anticipated the maturation of technologies that would enable true cognitive partnership with machines. Recently, two breakthroughs – ChatGPT and Apple's Vision Pro – offered a tantalizing glimpse into this future. Contrary to the dystopian view that AI will render human work obsolete, I see us on the brink of an evolutionary leap in human intelligence.
Over the coming months, I'll explore the future of work and the new realms of possibility it unveils. My commitment to humane technology and purposeful innovation guides this exploration, ensuring that our advancements enrich humanity rather than diminish it.
I invite you to join me in pondering some pivotal questions:
What is intelligence, and can it be augmented?
What does it truly mean to think with a machine?
How does technology reshape our cognitive processes?
How long have humans been augmenting our minds?
What are the four critical epochs of mental augmentation?
What implications does this have for the future of work?
How do we evolve UX to augment thinking?
If we transform how we think, what will companies look like?
Beyond modeling workflows, how can we model 'thoughtflows'?
What aspects of our cognition should we automate (autopilot), augment (copilot), or reinvent (pilot)?
Future articles:
How to thrive in the Age of AI by becoming a Centaurian?
How to ensure AI is responsible, meaningful, and humane.
Superhero Thinking: How to think like Ironman, Spiderman, and Dr. Strange?
Enchanting people, objects, and space
Out of Minds and the Future of UX
Exploring the future of AI devices -- Humane's AI Pin, Apple's Vision Pro, Meta's Raybans
What's the future of education in the Age of AI?
From my unique vantage point, blending deep insights into human cognition with a profound understanding of AI and technology, I hypothesize that the future will be shaped by 'Centaurians' – individuals who merge with machines to enhance and extend our capabilities.
This journey is not just about technological advancement; it's a quest to redefine what it means to be human in an age of unparalleled digital integration. As we embark on this exploration together, I encourage you to engage, challenge, and contribute to this discourse. Let's shape a future where technology doesn't just augment our reality but elevates our humanity.
Welcome to "The Centaurian." Together, let's reimagine a better future for all.
Exciting epoch in which to be practicing in the digital sphere! I particularly like this framing of yours: "What aspects of our cognition should we automate (autopilot), augment (copilot), or reinvent (pilot)?" As the conversational interface aspect of GenAI dominates most limited views on this subject, I especially ponder how we'll handle the resulting creation and especially accumulation of new knowledge in durable, usable ways for our human selves — i.e., a transitory conversation is not the most useful repository for wisdom generated therein.