AC: 20th International Conference on Augmenting Cognition in the AI-Accelerated Era

Now entering its 20th year, the Augmented Cognition affiliated conference continues to push the boundaries of how intelligent systems can enhance human thought, decision-making, and resilience. Originally focused on real-time cognitive state assessment and adaptive interfaces, the field has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem encompassing cognitive AI, agentic autonomy, immersive human–machine teaming, and the emerging science of cognitive integrity. In today’s complex digital and operational environments—where AI agents increasingly act alongside humans—issues of security, sovereignty, and trust have become central.

From cyber–cognitive defenses and sovereign AI architectures to adaptive learning loops and ethically aligned decision support, Augmenting Cognition is the forum where breakthroughs in cognitive augmentation meet the realities of modern missions, infrastructures, and lives. This is not just about managing complexity—it’s about designing systems that uphold human dignity, protect decision authority, and expand our capacity to act wisely and effectively in an AI-accelerated world.

The central ambition of Augmenting Cognition is to engineer intelligent systems that dynamically amplify human thought, perception, and performance across complex, mission-critical environments. We integrate real-time psychophysiological and neurobehavioral sensing with AI-driven adaptation, enabling people to thrive in hybrid domains—from command centers, cockpit systems, and collaborative robotics to smart cities and sovereign digital ecosystems. Recent advances in cognitive AI and agentic frameworks have made it possible for systems not just to respond, but to reason, anticipate, and proactively adjust to the user’s state.

In parallel, an expanded emphasis on Security, Sovereignty, and Cognitive Integrity reflects the reality that cognitive augmentation must be robust, trusted, and resilient. Our community tackles cyber‑cognitive defenses, sovereign AI architectures, and resilience frameworks that protect decision authority and safeguard human–machine trust. These efforts address ethical imperatives and preserve cognitive autonomy in environments shaped by both AI agents and adversarial actors.

At the intersection of immersive human–AI teaming, safety‑critical decision support, accelerated learning, and explainable system design, Augmenting Cognition is leading the charge toward multimodal interfaces and adaptive autonomy that learn alongside, and for, their users. By combining cognitive modeling, brain–computer interfaces, XR interaction, secure AI systems, and resilience engineering, we are redefining what human‑centered AI means—especially in operationally relevant contexts.

As we update our focus and expand this conference, we invite leaders from academia, industry, defense, security, neurotechnology, and policy to join us in shaping the future of cognitive augmentation. Together, we aim to build adaptive, ethical, and trustworthy systems that extend human potential—not by replacing humans, but by empowering them in an AI-accelerated world where sovereignty, security, and performance go hand-in-hand.

Call for participation leaflet (198KB)

Expanded Topics of Interest:

To reflect this broader scope, the conference now invites submissions and participation across the following areas:

Continuing Our Legacy

Honoring the foundational topics that have defined our community's identity

  • Neuroergonomics and Operational Neuroscience
    Understanding neural and cognitive demands in real-world, mission-critical environments.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Training Systems
    Integrating AI to create responsive learning systems for skill acquisition and retention.
  • Augmented Cognition for Health and Healthcare
    Applying cognitive augmentation tools to improve diagnosis, therapy, rehabilitation, and wellness.
  • Shared Cognition, Team Performance, and Decision-Making
    Investigating how cognitive systems can enhance coordination, communication, and collective outcomes.
  • Understanding Human Cognition and Behavior in Complex Tasks and Environments
    Studying real-time cognition in high-tempo, high-risk, or ambiguous contexts.
  • Applied Cognitive Modeling, Perception, Emotion, and Interaction
    Modeling human perception, affect, and reasoning to inform system design.
  • Context-Aware Adaptive Techniques and Systems
    Building systems that sense, interpret, and respond to dynamic user states and environments.
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality Techniques for Augmented Cognition Applications
    Leveraging immersive technology for training, simulation, and adaptive interaction.
  • Accelerated Learning through Augmented Learning and Training
    Enhancing knowledge transfer, retention, and skill-building through AI-guided approaches.
  • Novel Brain–Computer Interface Technologies
    Developing next-generation BCI platforms that connect neural activity with adaptive systems.

 

Growing Our Impact

Expanding into emerging areas to shape the future of human–AI integration

  • Cognitive AI and Agentic Systems
    Including large cognitive models, neuro-symbolic systems, and taskable AI agents.
  • Real-Time Cognitive State Assessment
    Using neurophysiological and behavioral data to sense workload, engagement, and intent.
  • Human–AI Teaming and Trustworthy Autonomy
    Designing agents that collaborate safely and reliably with human partners.
  • Security, Sovereignty, and Cognitive Integrity
    Advancing cyber–cognitive defenses, sovereign AI systems, and resilience frameworks.
  • Natural and Immersive Interfaces
    Exploring multimodal interaction, AR/VR/XR systems, and affective computing.
  • Human Performance Optimization and Resilience Engineering
    Enhancing decision speed, endurance, memory, and stress recovery in dynamic environments.
  • Ethics, Explainability, and Adaptive System Design
    Prioritizing transparency, fairness, and user trust in cognitive augmentation systems.
  • Operational and Tactical Environments
    Addressing deployment in edge-AI contexts: aviation, defense, disaster response, spaceflight.
  • Hybrid and Mixed-Reality Cognitive Environments
    Supporting cognition across digital twins, intelligent environments, and simulated spaces.
  • Inclusive and Equitable Cognitive Augmentation
    Designing augmentation solutions that serve diverse populations and cognitive needs.
  • Program Chair

    DYLAN SCHMORROW

    SoarTech, USA

  • Program Chair

    CALI FIDOPIASTIS

    Design Interactive, USA

  • Board Members

  • TBA

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The HCI International Conference respects the decisions of all its contributors, engaged in any way, regarding their institutional affiliations and designations of territories, in all material / content published in its website, taking a neutral stance in relation to any disputes or claims. Moreover, the HCI International Conference fully concurs with the Territorial Neutrality Policy of Springer Nature, Publisher of its proceedings.