From Devices to Adaptive Presence: A New Human–System Interaction Model

Contemporary computing systems remain organized around discrete devices and application-bound interaction, despite growing demands for continuity across contexts, environments, and time. This paper introduces adaptive presence as an alternative human–system interaction model in which computing systems mediate user intent dynamically rather than through explicit device or application control. We argue that device-centric interaction architectures impose structural limits on scalability, continuity, and cognitive efficiency, and that incremental advances in hardware, interfaces, or artificial intelligence do not resolve these constraints. By reframing interaction around presence rather than devices, this paper establishes a conceptual foundation for adaptive systems capable of seamless contextual mediation without requiring continuous user orchestration.