In an era marked by unprecedented global interconnectedness, increasing technological capabilities, and pressing environmental challenges, Humanity stands at a pivotal juncture. As we become ever more embedded in vast networks of human and non-human agents, the future of human identity and social relationships is poised for radical transformation. The advent of digital technologies, AI, and virtual reality are blurring the boundaries between individual and collective cognition, reshaping our self-concept and social roles. The emergence of hybrid social networks where humans and artificial agents collaborate and co-evolve may create new forms of kinship: while emotional bonds with nonhuman agents could profoundly impact human-to-human relationships, leading to the digital displacement of traditional community structures and practices, technology-mediated experiences may also facilitate deeper levels of interindividual comprehension and empathy. In parallel, anticipated technoscientific breakthroughs over the next quarter-century may provide governance models apt to develop with emergent social norms and technological capabilities. Technological developments, particularly in collective intelligence platforms and data-driven systems, are expected to play a crucial role in enabling new forms of participatory decision-making and algorithmic consensus-building mechanisms across diverse stakeholders, incorporating elements of common narratives in fostering cohesion across diverse value systems. The concept of “Planetarised Humanity” emerges from this landscape to capture a series of transformative shifts in how we understand ourselves, govern our societies, and interact with the world around us.

Dominant discourses around these transformations often focus on immediate challenges and technological solutions, with little attention to the profound implications for the human condition and our collective future. As we look ahead, the fundamental tenets guiding human coexistence and our place in the world are being reimagined. The “Planetarised Humanity” framework invites us to envision a future where our individual and collective identities, our governance structures, and our environmental interactions harmonise with the realities of a deeply interdependent, planetary civilisation. These changes raise critical questions about the nature of consciousness, cognition, and social dynamics in an interconnected world where the lines between self, other, and artificial entities are progressively indistinct.

Introduction to the three workshop sessions by the session Chairs.

• Session 1: Phenomena Exploring how digital technologies and AI are transforming human identity and relationships. Topics include AI-enhanced cognition, new forms of kinship with artificial agents, and the rise of virtual communities replacing traditional social structures.

• Session 2: Tools and conceptual frameworks Exploring the methods and technologies needed to understand and model socio-technological evolution. Experts will discuss advances in digital ethnography, planetary-scale data analysis, and transdisciplinary approaches to studying human behavior in a technology-driven world.

• Session 3: Openings and Future Research Areas Examining how social and governance systems need to adapt to the rapid evolution of human-technology interactions. This session will explore innovative governance models, ethical considerations and strategies for fostering global cooperation in a highly networked society.

We witness profound shifts in human identity and social organisation. The fusion of artificial and natural identities through digital avatars and AI-enhanced cognition is reshaping our sense of self, while traditional communities face digital displacement, giving rise to global, virtual networks. This evolution extends to novel forms of kinship with non-human artificial agents, challenging conventional notions of social interaction. Immersive technologies and interfaces are catalysing cognitive modifications, altering how we perceive and interact with our world.

These changes propel us towards new understandings of consciousness and selfhood, with concepts of distributed cognition and human-machine symbiosis pushing philosophical boundaries. Simultaneously, growing awareness of environmental interdependence is embedding ecological considerations into our social structures and individual behaviour. We stand at a critical juncture — a window to study and shape these emerging phenomena before they solidify.

The breakthroughs in understanding these dynamics over the next 25 years will be crucial in defining our planetarised future, potentially revolutionising fields from across the social sciences and humanities. This session will explore these radical transformations and their implications for humanity’s future in an interconnected world.