How self-acclaimed cyborg artist, Neil Harbisson, transforms human perception

For the past two decades, Neil Harbisson, a self-proclaimed “cyborg artist,” has ignited conversations around the intersection of art, technology, and human enhancement with his innovative “eyeborg”—a surgically implanted antenna.

Born with achromatopsia, a rare condition that restricts his vision to shades of grey, Harbisson took an extraordinary step in 2004 to transform his sensory experience by attaching an antenna to the back of his head, enabling him to “hear” color through sound.

Film director Carey Born, captivated by Harbisson’s unique journey, recognized him as “the first officially recognized ‘cyborg'” by Guinness World Records, leading to the creation of her documentary, Cyborg: A Documentary.

Her film delves into Harbisson’s life and the profound implications of his pioneering procedure, emphasizing his desire to enhance sensory perception rather than merely compensate for his limitations.

Under the guidance of cybernetics expert Adam Montandon at Plymouth University, Harbisson learned to interpret color as sound, yet he yearned for a deeper integration of this technology into his being.

After facing numerous rejections from Spain’s bioethical committees, he successfully convinced anonymous surgeons to perform the groundbreaking procedure, which involved removing part of his skull to implant the antenna.

Harbisson describes his relationship with technology as one where he is not merely using it, but embodying it. The term “cyborg” denotes beings that merge human and machine elements, offering enhanced abilities, a concept popularized in shows like “Doctor Who” and films like “Terminator”.

The chip implanted in Harbisson’s head allows him to perceive colors through sound transmitted via bone conduction, while also connecting to nearby devices and the Internet. His partner, Moon Ribas, admires his bravery and unconventional approach to life. Although Harbisson has expanded his perception of reality, the post-surgery phase was fraught with challenges, including headaches and initial depression.

The documentary also sheds light on the darker aspects of his existence, including receiving death threats from those opposed to body modifications. Harbisson notes that some view his work as “anti-natural or anti-God,” leading him to relocate for safety. Born expresses concern for the couple, lamenting, “It’s such a shame… they’re very gentle people.”

While Harbisson champions self-design and body augmentation, Born urges caution, advocating for security and ethical considerations. A 2022 Pew Research survey revealed mixed sentiments among the US public regarding human enhancement, with many expressing hesitance towards biomedical interventions that could alter cognitive abilities.

Concerns about body augmentation were prominent during a 2022 interview with BBC News presenter Stephen Sackur, who questioned the potential emergence of an “uber-species” through enhancements accessible only to the wealthy. Harbisson countered that his not-for-profit Cyborg Foundation aims to democratize access to such augmentations.

Body modification artist Jenova Rain praises Harbisson’s work as “amazing and very important,” pushing the boundaries of human potential by implanting microchips to assist those with disabilities. Dani Clode, an augmentation designer at Cambridge University, finds Harbisson “fascinating” but emphasizes the need for careful consideration regarding the safety of enhancements. Her projects include creating a removable extra thumb and examining how augmentation impacts the brain.