In this episode, futurist Ross Dawson speaks with Suranga Nanayakkara, founder of the Augmented Human Lab, about reimagining the relationship between people and technology. Suranga shares his personal journey of feeling “not good enough” with early computers, and how that experience inspired him to design human-computer interfaces that assist and empower rather than intimidate. He discusses breakthrough projects such as ISee, a wearable device that helps blind people — and travelers like himself — access visual information seamlessly, and Prospero, a cognitive training tool that adapts learning moments to an individual’s readiness and cognitive load.

The conversation explores the Lab’s wider innovations, including AI-augmented reasoning, wearable fact-checkers, interactive tools co-designed with autistic children, and even the concept of an “AI inner voice” that nudges people toward healthier and more confident choices. Suranga emphasizes co-design with stakeholders, context-awareness, and non-invasive augmentation as guiding principles. Looking ahead, he sees the convergence of AI, robotics, and consumer wearables as opening new horizons for technologies that help us make better decisions, learn more effectively, and ultimately become better versions of ourselves.