Artificial intelligence and transhumanism

Digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are currently dominating many social and scientific debates. Technological advances not only bring benefits, but also challenge humanity. This is why psychology must become increasingly involved in the debates surrounding AI and the transhumanism movement.

The goal of transhumanism is human enhancement using technological and/or neuroscientific methods. The aim of enhancement is to achieve significant improvements in human potential and thus overcome the "deficient human". The debates surrounding the possibilities of enhancement are currently conducted almost exclusively by philosophers, theologians, sociologists and IT/AI experts. Psychological research is hardly included. However, psychological research is becoming more and more necessary - both for the field of enhancement and AI.

As part of our research, we want to combine the topics of AI and transhumanism with differential psychology. For example, we are investigating which people (with which personality) are interested in enhancing their cognitive abilities - especially their intelligence. The motives for enhancement are also being researched. We are also looking at various predictors (e.g. knowledge, personality, interests) of trust in different AI systems.

Our work is intended to contribute to understanding people in relation to a world of rapidly advancing technologies. The insights gained could, for example, be taken into account in the development of new technologies in order to achieve optimal interaction between humans and technology.