It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Friday, February 06, 2026
Human-AI relationships in fiction: A theoretical cultural framework of AI representations
Tsukuba, Japan—Through everyday interactions, such as receiving assistance, advice, and emotionally responsive feedback, people increasingly perceive artificial intelligence (AI) not only as a functional system but also as a social entity that occupies a role within society. However, how humans and AI can coexist harmoniously remains an open question. Technical performance alone does not fully explain how people come to understand and accept AI as a relational partner.
In this study, the researchers examined AI characters depicted in fictional works and conducted a systematic analysis of how human-AI coexistence is represented as a relationship. The findings indicate that fictional AI is portrayed with varying roles and degrees of autonomy, ranging from simple tools to supportive figures, collaborative partners, and, in some cases, autonomous agents that pursue their own goals.
Based on these findings, the study proposes a theoretical model that conceptualizes AI not merely as a collection of capabilities or functions, but as an entity that forms relationships with humans. By framing fictional AI as cultural prototypes—sites for ethical rehearsal and moral imagination—the study offers a comparative framework for examining how AI is positioned as a social and moral presence. This perspective provides insights relevant to the future design of interactive and educational AI systems and contributes to broader discussions on AI ethics, human-AI coexistence, and the social acceptance of AI.
### This work was partly supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 23K25691.
Original Paper
Title of original paper:
Fictional Prototypes of AI-Human Coexistence and Relationality
(a) Comparison of conventional thermal, catalytic, and electrocatalytic pathways for AN hydrogenation. The thermal route often suffers from low selectivity and undesirable byproducts, while the electrochemical approach enables greener and highly selective EA synthesis. (b) Electronic structure modulation of metal sites induced by Eu doping, demonstrating its potential to regulate the adsorption configuration of key reaction intermediates. (c) Proposed mechanism of Eu-mediated transition of the AN intermediate from flat π-adsorption to vertical N-end vertical adsorption, facilitating efficient protonation and suppressing competing hydrogen evolution.
From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers - ethylamine (EA) is a versatile component used in many industries. The downside of EA is that its production is terribly complicated and energy intensive. However, it is not a simple task to simplify EA production in a way that can also be scaled up to industrial levels.
Researchers at Tohoku University's WPI-AIMR may have found an answer to this problem. Rare earth Eu atoms were modified on Cu2O nanoneedles to produce a catalyst (Eu-Cu2O) that can increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction that produces EA. This means it no longer consumes such a large amount of energy to produce. Remarkably, the reaction achieves an EA Faradaic efficiency of 98.1% and can operate continuously for up to 420 hours. To date, this finding holds the record for the longest reported activity whilst maintaining stability - all under industrial conditions.
This research introduces a unique rare‐earth atom-mediated strategy to achieve industrial-scale electrosynthesis of ethylamine under mild conditions. By precisely tuning the electronic structure of Cu2O through atomic europium incorporation, the method enables a unique switch in acetonitrile adsorption configuration that overcomes long-standing challenges of selectivity loss and instability at ampere-level currents.
The importance of these findings extends beyond the laboratory, as the developed catalyst supports continuous, energy-efficient production of EA - an essential precursor in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and more - using electricity and water instead of fossil-derived hydrogen. This advancement represents a vital step toward sustainable, electrified chemical manufacturing for a low-carbon future.
The findings were published in Advanced Materials on January 20, 2026.
About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) Tohoku University Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science
AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.
Professor Krasimir Vasilev, Matthew Flinders Professor and Professor of Biomedical Nanotechnology and Director of Biomedical Nanoengineering Laboratory, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
Australian researchers have developed a high‑performance coating made from peppermint essential oil that can be applied to the surfaces of many commonly used medical devices, offering a safer way to protect patients from infection and inflammation.
Matthew Flinders Professor and senior author of the new study, Professor Krasimir Vasilev, says the idea emerged after noticing that eating peppermint leaves from his drink significantly relieved his sore throat, inspiring him to explore whether its bioactivity could be converted into a durable coating using plasma technology – something he has been researching for more than two decades.
The team from Flinders’s Biomedical Nanoengineering Laboratory - including Professor Vasilev (Director), Associate Professor Vi‑Khanh Truong, Dr Andrew Hayles, and PhD candidates Trong Quan Luu and Tuyet Pham - created a nanoscale peppermint‑oil coating that protects against infection, inflammation and oxidative stress, while remaining compatible with human tissue and suitable for medical materials.
In the study, the team used atmospheric pressure plasma to transform peppermint essential oil into an ultra-thin film that bonds tightly to the surface of all types of medical materials.
“This process does not require heating or harmful chemicals and preserves many of the biologically active groups within the oil,” says Professor Vasilev.
“Importantly, it is environmentally friendly since the energy required to run the process can be entirely sourced from renewable sources.
“It allows the fabrication of robust and stable coatings because the plasma reorganises the oil molecules into a cross linked structure that resists breakdown.”
Researchers first tested the coating on urinary catheters - devices frequently associated with infection and patient discomfort.
Co-author, Associate Professor Vi‑Khanh Truong says the peppermint coating removed up to 90% of harmful reactive oxygen species, limiting tissue damage and irritation.
“Catheter associated urinary tract infections are among the most common hospital acquired infections and significantly contribute to patient discomfort, extended hospital stays, greater treatment costs and increased mortality,” says Associate Professor Truong from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
“The plasma coating demonstrated strong antibacterial action against key pathogens such as E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, killing bacteria on contact without releasing drugs into the body.”
The study also found that the peppermint oil coating increased bacterial sensitivity to common antibiotics including colistin and levofloxacin, a finding that could help reduce antibiotic resistance.
“We found that the coating reduces pro inflammatory signals and increases anti-inflammatory signals, shifting immune cells toward a healing associated phenotype rather than an aggressive one,” says Dr Andrew Hayles.
“This response may help the body tolerate the presence of medical devices more comfortably.”
Laboratory testing confirmed that human cells grow normally on the coating and maintain healthy metabolic activity which proves that the peppermint based film is safe for contact with human tissue.
Beyond catheters, the coating can be applied to many kinds of medical devices, including those used in orthopaedic surgery and long term clinical care.
“The process also supports environmentally conscious manufacturing because it uses renewable peppermint oil and avoids solvent based methods. It can also be powered entirely by renewable sources,” says Professor Vasilev.
“The co-location of the Biomedical Nanoengineering Laboratory within Flinders Medical Centre facilitates close collaboration with doctors and nurses, ensuring that our research remains clinically relevant and strongly positioned for translation.”
The team hopes the discovery will inspire a new generation of medical coatings that harness natural compounds while improving patient comfort and reducing infection risks. They say they are keen to support further development of the technology and are actively seeking engagement with partners to help commercialise their discoveries.
Acknowledgements: This research at Flinders University was conducted with experts from RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia). Professor Vasilev is funded by a NHMRC Fellowship GNT1194466 and ARC grants DP220103543 and DP250101028. V.K.T thanks ARC for the grant FT240100067. A.H. thanks the Flinders Foundation for Health Seed Grant.
Peppermint essential oil plasma coating. A nanoscale peppermint‑oil coating that protects against infection, inflammation and oxidative stress, while remaining compatible with human tissue and suitable for medical materials
A mint idea - Flinder's Biomedical Nanoengineering Laboratory team, Dr Andrew Hayes, PhD candidate, Trong Quan Luu and Professor Vasilev in the lab with some mint
