Extending Our Perception

Document type: Opportunity space

Author: Claire Donoghue

Date published: 8 January 2026

Version: 1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67475/eopcqp4-whwx

Abstract

The world is rich with structures and high-dimensional patterns that remain hidden from both humans and machines. Our current frontier of AI is inspired by human-style cognitive intelligence, dominated by our language and photos. Yet nature achieves feats beyond our capabilities through efficient intelligence, entwined with powerful senses co-evolved over billions of years. What is the goal of AI, to mimic humans or extend our capabilities? The next paradigm is Hypersensory Intelligence, co-designing AI with dynamic sensor systems to extend our perception and reveal what remains invisible, catalysing breakthroughs in health, scientific discovery, and agriculture.  

Extending Our Perception was one of ARIA's original opportunity spaces. Following an evolution of our research portfolio in August 2026, it now sits within the Nature-Inspired Computation opportunity space. The beliefs and observations that defined Extending Our Perception still hold, and its remit continues in full within Nature-Inspired Computation with respect to both future programmes and seed funding. No active funding was affected by this change.