Interaction in Human-Machine Interaction Human-machine interaction in emerging medical technologies: A philosophical analysis of (novel qualities in) this interaction and its implications for humans at the individual and societal level

• Applicant: Professorin Orsolya Friedrich, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Practical Philosophy
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 418201802

Human-machine interactions (HMI) have a rapidly increasing presence and a changing quality. The field of HMI in medicine especially allows for insights into the elements and novel qualities of these interactions. Certain aspects of these interactions, such as control, relation, and collecting data or information about the user have potential for significant implications for humans. Therefore, the main objective of the proposed research project is to conceptualize and evaluate the phenomenon of interaction in HMI, its qualitative novelties (in control, relation, information) and their consequences for humans, both at individual and at societal level. The focus on interaction allows – a hypothesis in this project – to connect otherwise unrelated (normative) questions surrounding HMI, as they have a basis in the depth dimensions of the phenomenon of interaction. Further, the focus on interaction enables to assume a definite form and new perspectives for solutions for some so far imprecise societal concerns regarding HMI. In order to produce a comprehensive and systematic philosophical analysis, selected HMI from the medical context (namely, self-tracking technologies, artificial intelligence based HMI, neurotechnologies, and social robots) will serve as examples. Results of the study should be in large part further transferable to other fields of HMI. The study results aim to contribute to the philosophy and ethics of technology, both from the analytic and from the social or cultural perspective. Furthermore, they will inform future empirical research designs that investigate the impacts of HMI, the technical sciences, the policy maker and the public.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups