Human Technology Frontier: A Retrospective and Challenges for the Future in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

As intelligent systems and technologies mature, a shift in the modality of use is occurring, namely computer-based systems are no longer an assistive extension of the human operator but are an inherent part of human endeavors. This, on the one hand, leads to augmented human performance, while on the other hand, presents challenges in managing the boundaries between human versus machine control, over- and under-reliance on automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Social impacts such as dramatic changes in work paradigms, outsourcing, and human interactions are more and more pronounced. The presentation will explore the evolution of smart systems from fundamental models to advanced technologies today. It will discuss the human impact of the new advances on engineering, medicine, other endeavors, and the society at large. It will debate the question of “how much better off are we?” living in the technology driven universes and our interactions with the ubiquitous computer-based worlds.