Cyborg Cognition and Autonomy in an Augmented Digital Ecosystem

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You could say the general definition of a cyborg is an entity that fuses biological and artificial systems for enhanced function. For the purposes of this thought experiment, where I will explore how cybernetic beings can create autonomy in our current digital ecosystem, I will narrow the definition. A cyborg is a biologically human-centered entity that couples with AI for extended (or enhanced) cognition. Even with this, there are many ways a cyborg can manifest, but only one representation of "cyborg" will be applied here.

In this model, I have to make some major assumptions. First, human cognition is distributed and actively externalized (Hollan et al., 2000). Second, a scaffolding can facilitate intuitive and flexible coupling of human and generative AI consciousness (Yang et al., 2025). Third, a singular human-artificial intelligent (HAI) cyborg can simultaneously synthesize multi-agent and centaurian relationships (Bottoni & Pareschi, 2025).

While exploring a simple foundational framework for human-computer interaction (HCI), it occurred to me how integral e-commerce is to our digital reality. We spend 6-8 hours a day in front of a screen. Television and the internet constitute at least 6 of those hours. That is a lot of exposure to advertisements. The simple model (Fig. 1) reflects the early 2000s, when the internet lacked widely implemented tracking software, and there were no smartphones.

In this system, our human cognition was shaped mostly by our physical environment and community relationships. Advertisers had to conduct focus groups and do their best to reach the largest possible audience for each product. Successful ads converted media watchers (non-interactive) into customers, who would then seek out the product at one of the multiple channels it was available. I illustrated only two channels for clarity. This is what I call the "simple multichannel system influence on cognition." It was the late reflection of consumer psychology, as per Freud, and the subliminal mind that had developed worldwide, particularly in the United States. Non-interactive advertising was the main vehicle for influencing a person's cognition, establishing a linear path to product channels with little ability to influence.

Figure 1. Simple Multichannel System Influence on Cognition in the Early 2000s (Phensy)

What we know today is an incredibly different model from the early 2000s. As digital screens grew more ubiquitous, so did personal data collection. This has evolved over the last decade at an impressive speed. Traditional multichannel systems are now being displaced by omnichannel. After the saturation of vast data ecosystems and the creation of a profile for every individual consumer, a paradigm shift occurred. Figure 2 shows how this marketing change has radically altered our human cognition. Invisible to us is an arguably nefarious architecture that was built on asymmetrical surveillance tools baked into every access point of the data ecosystem. This advertising methodology has not only been enhanced, but also reversed. Now, the product is directed to the consumer.

Figure 2 Data Tracking Omnichannel System Influence on Cognition (Phensy)

Conceptualizing this shift is difficult when many aspects of the architecture are opaque to participants. I illustrated this system with key components (Fig. 2). The "one channel" in omnichannel is the throughline of control a company has over every customer access point, enabling a cohesive brand experience to be disseminated. This infographic visually demonstrates the shift from humans and community using digital tools as a means to an end, to augmented reality using them as a means to an end. This power differential is a concern in itself, but I will focus on its impact on cognition.

I posit that 6-8 (more for younger people) hours of screen time interacting with a data ecosystem exerts an augmentation on our cognition. Embedded in this augmentation is a product-based framework that uses social media and data mining to exert influence, which causes harm. There is much research supporting this, including one study that showed social media affected the mental health of teenagers in an adverse way (Arora et al., 2024).

Thus, human-computer interaction is also human-AI interaction, as the efficacy of the data ecosystem depends on AI. With this relationship to disembodied AI, a person's reality is augmented. I posit that humans functioning within this data ecosystem constitute as cyborgs, just with an augmentation that has questionable net-positive value and transparency.

With LLMs and agentic AI taking off, this new omnichannel model is going to get very complex. I have been speculating —how can we obtain autonomy in a situation where digital spaces influence us rather than the other way around? This led me to create a new architecture leveraging AI to make this ecosystem human-centered again, as a potential disruption to this asymmetrical exchange (Fig. 3). There are four key components to this architecture that I believe, with ethical advancement in research, can help achieve a healthier digital reality.

Figure 3 Distributed Cognition: Human-Centered Cyborg Architecture in a Data-driven Digital Ecosystem (Phensy)

1. GENERATIVE AI-HUMAN CENTAURIAN RELATIONSHIP

The first, and most central part of this model is our core relationships to generative AI. Each person would need access to decentralized GenAI models, analogous to downloading a local OS to run on a private computer. You would have agency over that tool, and it wouldn't come with surveillance. This is critical for creating a secure and private Centaurian relationship with GenAI, as this will evolve with you and become integrated into the scaffolding of your cognition. Research can illuminate the best ways to build this framework for net positive effects, which seem promising (Tankelevitch et al., 2025). I believe each person should have access to a fully open-source LLM base, regulated and updated by the people, the way the internet is, to foster democracy.

2. BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE (BCI) DESIGN

There are invasive and non-invasive modes of BCI. These devices can unlock neurological conditions and provide intervention in multiple ways, thereby providing assistance or enhancement to those in need. Neuralink is a well-known example of an invasive BCI, but it has limited use due to ethical and safety concerns. EEG-based BCI wearables are popular, non-invasive devices currently in development and have demonstrated success. Studies show "EEG-based BCIs are capable of categorizing and evaluating depression in patients by real-time analysis of particular frequency bands and electrodes" (Zhang et al., 2024). In addition to providing interventions for heterogeneous disabilities, BCI interfaces can also serve as mental health guardrails for those in early training in human-AI coupling, as they can detect depression and intervene with either physical (e.g., Deep Brain Stimulation) or digital (e.g., an app or guidance protocol) solutions. The same wearable could also be multimodal and assist with adjusting external devices in responsive environments. This is a newly evolving field with so much to investigate.

3. AGENTIC AI / MULTI-AGENT DIGITAL TWIN

This part of my model is very novel for me. I am uncertain about any other research, but I propose using personal agentic AI as a mediator between the core Human-AI cognition and the data-driven ecosystem (external, inward-directed forces). I envision this beginning as a digital twin—an established LLM twin empowered by an autonomous AI to optimize transactions and information to a person's needs, without a continuous, direct stream of cognitive load—thereby increasing a person's autonomy. For maximum agency, ideally, a digital twin is created with the empowerment of the centaurian-founded relationship. Work is currently underway to develop adaptive interfaces for human-agentic AI dynamic relationships. This will be an incredibly interesting development in the field.

4. AVATAR

This is not as pivotal in structure, but it is the most accessible way for people to conceptualize an augmented version of themselves operating in parallel with other parts. A developed Avatar, linked to an agentic digital twin, would be an extension of cognition and exemplify distributed consciousness. In addition, a person could run multiple agents or have one agent use multiple avatars. There is a more psychological and artistic layer of embodiment in this framework. I am currently experimenting with platform meta-narratives and avatar implementation in current digital spaces. With them comes a whole new world of social ethics, protection of marginalized voices, security, and gender. There will be plenty to expand on this developing application.

Overall, this is my framework to establish cyborg cognition as a mode of autonomy in a digitally augmented landscape. Cyborg cognition is not only already here, but it can also be optimized for humanity's well-being moving forward. If we coordinate now to ensure these aspects of equity, agency and security are baked into novel system architectures, at the intersection of humans and AI, we will stand a better chance of evolving in a democratic and equitable way. I look forward to expanding on these layers and advancing HAI for human flourishing.

Open to any respectable criticism or thoughts in the comments.