A Closed-Loop Perspective on Symbiotic Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract

This paper is concerned with how people interact with an emergent form of technology that is capable of both monitoring and affecting the psychology and behaviour of the user. The current relationship between people and computer is characterised as asymmetrical and static. The closed-loop dynamic of physiological computing systems is used as an example of a symmetrical and symbiotic HCI, where the central nervous system of the user and an adaptive software controller are engaged in constant dialogue. This emergent technology offers several benefits such as: intelligent adaptation, a capacity to learn and an ability to personalise software to the individual. This paper argues that such benefits can only be obtained at the cost of a strategic reconfiguration of the relationship between people and technology -specifically users must cede a degree of control over their interaction with technology in order to create an interaction that is active, dynamic and capable of responding in a stochastic fashion. The capacity of the system to successfully translate human goals and values into adaptive responses that are appropriate and effective at the interface represents a particular challenge. It is concluded that technology can develop lifelike qualities (e.g. complexity, sentience, freedom) through sustained and symbiotic interaction with human beings. However, there are a number of risks associated with this strategy as interaction with this category of technology can subvert skills, self-knowledge and the autonomy of human user.

The Effects of Closed-Loop Medical Devices on the Autonomy and Accountability of Persons and Systems

“…In a closed-loop brain-computer interface (BCI), for example, electrodes record neural activity from the scalp or from a neural implant, and a computer algorithm translates the neural activity to control a spelling program or a robotic arm; the subject can then monitor the output and manipulate the program or the robotic prosthesis. 1 In another type of closed-loop interaction, an amplifi er/computer system records a subject's brain activity in order to create an output that controls brain stimulation, thus again closing the loop. Systems for treating pharmaco-resistant epilepsy are one prominent example of this type of closed-loop device.…”

Making the Best Out of IT: Design and Development of Exergames for Older Adults With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder – A Methodological Paper

“…Regarding the monitoring of neurocognitive demands (i.e., game complexity), and in line with the adapted exercise prescription proposed by Herold et al (2019a) , using a biocybernetic adaptation loop (BIOLOOP) based on monitoring internal training load would most certainly be the optimal approach. In short, a “biocybernetic loop is a modulation technique from the physiological computing field, which utilizes body signals in real-time to alter the system in order to assist users” ( Pope et al, 1995 , 2014 ; Fairclough, 2015 ; Muñoz et al, 2018 ). “This model of closed-loop control detects deviations from an optimal state of brain activity and uses these variations to cue changes at the human-computer interface in order to “pull” the psychological state of the user in a desired direction” ( Ewing et al, 2016 ).…”

Embedded multimodal interfaces in robotics: applications, future trends, and societal implications

“…Second-order adaptation describes a generative process where the repertoire of adaptive responses is 'pruned' or customized on the basis of repeated interaction with a specific user. This evolving cycle has been described as a process of mutual adaptation with three main phases [Fairclough 2015]. The initial encounter between the multimodal system and user is characterized by improvisation.…”

“…A second issue concerns the 'values' that are inherent in the control directives of a 'machine with an agenda' [Fairclough 2015]. In order for the multimodal interface to respond to the detection of specific psychological states, it must translate the detection of a target state into an appropriate response at the interface.…”