Digital Humanism and Evolutionary Design

Source

Source name: arXiv
Source kind: paper
Authors / organization: Wolfgang Höhl
Venue: arXiv: cs.AI
Published: 2026-06-22
Collected: 2026-06-23
URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2606.23417v1
PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.23417v1
DOI: UNKNOWN

Plain-Language Brief

This research paper explores the concepts of digital humanism and evolutionary design, focusing on their potential commonalities, synergies, and challenges in human-centered technological development. The paper discusses key terms such as freedom, responsibility, conviviality, subjectivity, and the Turing Test, and introduces various concepts related to evolutionary design and open machine. It highlights interdependencies between functional specialization and open technology development, and points out that the current market-oriented approach to software and AI applications may negatively impact open technology development.

What the Document Says

The paper discusses the concepts of digital humanism and evolutionary design.
It aims to identify common structures and synergies between these concepts, and highlight challenges in human-centered technological development.
Key terms discussed include freedom, responsibility, conviviality, subjectivity, Turing Test, and Chinese Room.
Examples are provided illustrating the distinction between human and artificial intelligence.
Various concepts of evolutionary design are introduced, such as co-evolutionary or sustainable software development, clean code, green IT, and open machine.
The paper highlights interdependencies between functional specialization and open technology development.
It points out that the current market-oriented approach to software and AI applications may negatively impact open technology development.

Key Concepts Mentioned

digital humanism
evolutionary design
freedom
responsibility
conviviality
subjectivity
Turing Test
Chinese Room
co-evolutionary software development
sustainable software development
clean code
green IT
open machine

Claims Made by the Document

Technical systems can be designed in a way that aligns with digital humanism and evolutionary design.
There are common structures between digital humanism and evolutionary design.
Significant differences lie in the areas of autonomy and determination in decision-making, as well as in genuine and simulated subjectivity.

Evidence Used

The paper presents and visually illustrates the concepts of Digital Humanism and Evolutionary Design.
Examples are provided to distinguish human and artificial intelligence.

Methods / Approach

Discussion and graphical visualization of the concepts.

Limitations Stated by the Authors

The paper is a preliminary study and does not provide detailed or empirical evidence for its claims.

Limitations Noted by the Agent

Agent interpretation — not from the source.

As a research assistant, I am unable to conduct original research or provide definitive answers to open questions.

Open Questions

What are the practical implications of aligning technical systems with digital humanism and evolutionary design?
How can functional specialization in software and AI be minimized to promote open technology development?

Notes for Future Q&A

May include interpretation. Labeled where it does.

The paper does not provide specific answers or solutions to these questions.
These questions are meant to stimulate further discussion and research on the topics presented.

Raw Abstract / Excerpt

This paper examines the two concepts of digital humanism and evolutionary design. The aim is to identify and highlight potential common structures, synergies, and challenges. How should and can technical systems be designed, and what implications does this have for the design of our environment? In light of the current debate surrounding artificial intelligence, this paper aims to serve as a preliminary study to help better understand the two concepts of digital humanism and evolutionary design within the context of human-centered technological development. Following a brief introduction, the two concepts of Digital Humanism and Evolutionary Design are presented and graphically visualized. The terms of freedom and responsibility in human decision-making, conviviality, and subjectivity are discussed, along with examples illustrating the distinction between human and artificial intelligence (Turing Test and Chinese Room). The various concepts of evolutionary design (e.g., co-evolutionary or sustainable software development, clean code, or green IT) and Gilbert Simondon's concept of the 'open machine' are introduced. The interdependencies between functional specialization and open technology development are highlighted. Both concepts share similar structures. In joint cooperation, they can lead to positive effects and mutual synergies. Significant differences lie in the areas of autonomy and determination in decision-making, as well as in genuine and simulated subjectivity. Open technology development is also currently suffering from the functional specialization of software and AI applications due to a purely market- and consumer-oriented approach. Even optimizations for energy efficiency in sustainable software development lead to greater specialization and thus also have a detrimental effect on open and quality-oriented technology development.