SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media

Mila Bujić; Juho Hamari

doi:10.1145/3772318.3790860

SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

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Abstract

With advances in biosensing and artificial intelligence, we are seeing fast developments of recursive biocybernetic closed-loop systems. These media technologies adapt the content in real-time based on users’ psychophysiological input, with the goal of modulating users' affective responses. However, existing research primarily focuses on technical design aspects.

Building on Science, Technology, and Society, media, and HCI studies, we developed a critically grounded sociotechnical taxonomy of bioadaptive media with three interdependent dimensions: System Objective, Feedback Logic, and User Agency. By analysing these dimensions on artifact, organisational, and socio-political/ontological levels using our reflexive tool, we can interrogate whose perspectives and epistemologies these systems prioritise.

We illustrate the application of the taxonomy through a critical evaluation of three speculative case studies, namely immersive journalism, collaborative VR, and mind-altering. Finally, we identify and discuss normalisation of affect; agency, power, and politics; and reflexivity and pluralism in design as core issues.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '26)
Publisher	ACM
ISBN (Electronic)	979-8-4007-2278-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3790860
Publication status	Published - Apr 2026
Publication type	A4 Article in conference proceedings
Event	ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 13 Apr 2026 → 17 Apr 2026

Conference

Conference	ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	13/04/26 → 17/04/26

Funding

This work issupported by the Kone Foundation (DIAL, 202008478) and Research Council of Finland (Postemotion, 342144; Unite Flagship, 359173).

Funders	Funder number
Kone Foundation/Koneen Säätiö	202008478
Research Council of Finland	342144, 359173

Keywords

Interactive Media
Biosensing
Human-Media Enmeshment
Artificial Intelligence
Engaging Media
Physiological Computing
Affective Computing

Publication forum classification

Publication forum level 3

Access to Document

10.1145/3772318.3790860Licence: CC BY

Bujic and Hamari. SYNAPSE. chi26c-sub1801-cam-i16Final published version, 810 KBLicence: CC BY

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202609189850Licence: CC BY

Cite this

@inproceedings{9f735660f89d446ca6da5b8480fecd80,

title = "SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media",

abstract = "With advances in biosensing and artificial intelligence, we are seeing fast developments of recursive biocybernetic closed-loop systems. These media technologies adapt the content in real-time based on users{\textquoteright} psychophysiological input, with the goal of modulating users' affective responses. However, existing research primarily focuses on technical design aspects. Building on Science, Technology, and Society, media, and HCI studies, we developed a critically grounded sociotechnical taxonomy of bioadaptive media with three interdependent dimensions: System Objective, Feedback Logic, and User Agency. By analysing these dimensions on artifact, organisational, and socio-political/ontological levels using our reflexive tool, we can interrogate whose perspectives and epistemologies these systems prioritise. We illustrate the application of the taxonomy through a critical evaluation of three speculative case studies, namely immersive journalism, collaborative VR, and mind-altering. Finally, we identify and discuss normalisation of affect; agency, power, and politics; and reflexivity and pluralism in design as core issues.",

keywords = "Interactive Media, Biosensing, Human-Media Enmeshment, Artificial Intelligence, Engaging Media, Physiological Computing, Affective Computing",

author = "Mila Buji{\'c} and Juho Hamari",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

doi = "10.1145/3772318.3790860",

language = "English",

booktitle = "ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '26)",

publisher = "ACM",

address = "United States",

note = "ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems ; Conference date: 13-04-2026 Through 17-04-2026",

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TY - GEN

T1 - SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media

AU - Bujić, Mila

AU - Hamari, Juho

PY - 2026/4

Y1 - 2026/4

N2 - With advances in biosensing and artificial intelligence, we are seeing fast developments of recursive biocybernetic closed-loop systems. These media technologies adapt the content in real-time based on users’ psychophysiological input, with the goal of modulating users' affective responses. However, existing research primarily focuses on technical design aspects. Building on Science, Technology, and Society, media, and HCI studies, we developed a critically grounded sociotechnical taxonomy of bioadaptive media with three interdependent dimensions: System Objective, Feedback Logic, and User Agency. By analysing these dimensions on artifact, organisational, and socio-political/ontological levels using our reflexive tool, we can interrogate whose perspectives and epistemologies these systems prioritise. We illustrate the application of the taxonomy through a critical evaluation of three speculative case studies, namely immersive journalism, collaborative VR, and mind-altering. Finally, we identify and discuss normalisation of affect; agency, power, and politics; and reflexivity and pluralism in design as core issues.

AB - With advances in biosensing and artificial intelligence, we are seeing fast developments of recursive biocybernetic closed-loop systems. These media technologies adapt the content in real-time based on users’ psychophysiological input, with the goal of modulating users' affective responses. However, existing research primarily focuses on technical design aspects. Building on Science, Technology, and Society, media, and HCI studies, we developed a critically grounded sociotechnical taxonomy of bioadaptive media with three interdependent dimensions: System Objective, Feedback Logic, and User Agency. By analysing these dimensions on artifact, organisational, and socio-political/ontological levels using our reflexive tool, we can interrogate whose perspectives and epistemologies these systems prioritise. We illustrate the application of the taxonomy through a critical evaluation of three speculative case studies, namely immersive journalism, collaborative VR, and mind-altering. Finally, we identify and discuss normalisation of affect; agency, power, and politics; and reflexivity and pluralism in design as core issues.

KW - Interactive Media

KW - Biosensing

KW - Human-Media Enmeshment

KW - Artificial Intelligence

KW - Engaging Media

KW - Physiological Computing

KW - Affective Computing

U2 - 10.1145/3772318.3790860

DO - 10.1145/3772318.3790860

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '26)

PB - ACM

T2 - ACM SIGCHI annual conference on human factors in computing systems

Y2 - 13 April 2026 through 17 April 2026

ER -

SYNAPSE: A Sociotechnical Taxonomy of Bioadaptive Media

Abstract

Conference

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Keywords

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