Symbiotic interaction and the experience of agency

Abstract

The sense of agency is the experience of initiating our actions in order to control the external environment. This paper explores the notion of the self and agency in the context of symbiotic computing. Symbiotic computer systems use sensors to detect psychophysiological markers and implicitly interpret our intentions in order to enhance our actions in some way. Maintaining agency independence between the user and the system is central to the symbiotic relationship. Also it is ideal to enhance the user’s interaction without subducting control and therefore it is pertinent to consider the sense of agency during symbiotic interactions. This paper will theoretically explore the notion of self-agency in a symbiotic setting, drawing on relevant research into the sense of agency in psychology and neuroscience.