Exploring human-machine interactions through a multidisciplinary approach
From April 2 to 4, 2025, the Schuman campus in Aix-en-Provence hosted the "Rencontres HUMACO", a series of scientific seminars conceived and proposed by Grégory Alexander (LERMA), Isabelle Besançon (PSYCLE), Maejda Marcon (InCIAM, PSYCLE, LAPSCO) and Audrey Vermeulen (InCIAM, CGGG, LEST).
Born of an initiative by PhD students from the Federative Research Structure (SFR), the aim of these days was to place humans at the center of discussions about technology. This project takes place within the context of our current digital society, characterized by an exponential increase in digital usage and uninterrupted transmission of information and knowledge, particularly through these uses.
The first observation we face is the multiplicity of digital technologies and their associated uses. Given this diversity, it seems essential to rethink our relationship with technology, and in particular the siloed, predominantly techno-centric approach that prevails, obscuring the place of the human in our thinking.
How do humans evolve with the digital society?
This question is intentionally phrased "with" and not "in" this society, as we believe that humans are its designers and principal actors. Reflecting on how technology is used—and its effects on human beings in all their dimensions—is, therefore, a matter of both ethical and human integrity.
To begin this reflection, we have investigated three business sectors in which digital technologies play a crucial role and are driving changes in professional practices: Defense, Design and Healthcare.
Day 1 - Cyberspace: understanding and anticipating possible futures
The first day explored cyberspace as a new battlefield, particularly in the context of Russia, as well as the individual and collective vulnerabilities it exposes. In the afternoon, we discovered a creative design method for imagining and anticipating risks, in order to prepare ourselves to no longer suffer accidents or attacks.
Day 2 - Digital design and human-machine collaboration
The second offered an in-depth look at artificial intelligence, its history and its similarities and differences with human intelligence. Discussions focused about how we can raise awareness of the risks of these technologies in a playful and positive way.
Day 3 - Healthcare Preparing for the future of care
The final day shed light on the impact of AI integration on medical practices among surgeons and radiologists. Finally, it closed with a discussion on the safety issues associated with integrating technologies into patient care.
What's next? A podcast
To conclude these three days of reflection, the Polysecure team recorded a podcast to extend the conversation and share key insights with a broader audience.
