**Open Lecture Series ‘Creating the Future: The Boundaries of the Human’ at National Centre RUSSIA**
On September 26, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted an engaging open lecture series titled "Creating the Future: The Boundaries of the Human," attracting over 700 attendees. This event aimed to explore the intersection of human evolution, technology, and creativity through the insights of prominent experts in various fields.
The series commenced with a session entitled "The Thinking Human," led by Suzana Herculano-Houzel, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University and Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Comparative Neurology. Herculano-Houzel discussed the evolution of the human brain, highlighting its significant growth in size and neuron count over time. She noted that the human cerebral cortex contains approximately 16 billion neurons, a stark contrast to other species such as gorillas, which have around five billion, and whales, with about 2.4 billion.
Herculano-Houzel emphasized the role of cooking in human evolution, explaining that the ability to preprocess food allowed our ancestors to extract more energy in less time, thereby supporting the development of a larger brain. This advancement, she argued, has enabled humans to engage in complex thinking, allowing them to reflect on past experiences, desires, and future possibilities when making decisions.
The second session, titled "The Creative Human," featured Amirrudin Kamsin from Malaysia, who serves as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Systems and Technology at the University of Malaya. Kamsin addressed the growing concern of digital anxiety in today's technology-driven world. He pointed out that digital interfaces are not neutral; rather, they actively shape user experiences through feeds, notifications, and engagement metrics. Kamsin warned that these elements can lead to heightened emotional involvement and a pervasive sense of uncertainty among users.
The final session, "Homo sapiens or Homo technologicus," delved into the future of human enhancement through technology. Romulo Fuentes Flores, a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile, discussed brain-computer interfaces and the concept of cyborgization. He explained the two primary areas of neurotechnology: the ability to read electrical signals from brain activity and the capacity to provide feedback to the brain through electrical stimulation. Flores highlighted the advancements in medical devices, such as exoskeletons, which have enabled individuals with mobility impairments to regain the ability to walk.
The "Creating the Future" lecture series is an initiative by the National Centre RUSSIA aimed at fostering dialogue among Russian and international experts, scientists, and futurists. The project seeks to explore positive scenarios for the future while addressing the ethical and practical implications of technological advancements on humanity.
The event not only showcased the latest research and ideas but also encouraged participants to engage with the pressing questions surrounding the future of human existence in an increasingly technological world.