A Phenomenological Exploration of the Lived Experience of Users Adapting to AI-Integrated Neuroprosthetic Devices: Insights from Ten Adult Participants
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Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into neuroprosthetic devices represents a major advancement in biomedical engineering, reshaping both motor function restoration and the user’s subjective experience. While significant progress has been made in technical optimization, little is known about how users emotionally and cognitively adapt to these intelligent systems in daily life. This study addresses the gap by exploring the lived experiences of individuals using AI-enabled neuroprosthetics and asks: how do users make sense of and embody these technologies over time? Here, we employ an interpretative phenomenological approach to investigate how users construct meaning through their interaction with AI-integrated prosthetic systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten adult participants (aged 24–56 years) between January and March 2025, and data were analyzed thematically to identify shared experiential themes such as identity transformation, emotional negotiation, and co-agency with the device. The findings reveal that users undergo a multidimensional process of adaptation involving not only physical integration but also shifts in autonomy, trust, and social perception. These results extend current understanding by emphasizing the deeply personal and relational aspects of technologically mediated rehabilitation. This study advances the discourse in human-centered biomedical design by offering critical insights into how intelligent devices become internalized as part of the self. However, the findings are limited by the small sample size and the self-reported nature of the data. Future studies should explore broader demographic contexts and longitudinal changes over time. It highlights the need for future research to incorporate phenomenological perspectives when developing and evaluating assistive technologies.
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