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Genetic engineering, nanomachines, holograms, all of those could be considerated some kind of shapeshifting "power", however, it is way far fetched for our today technology (except genetic engineering, depending on the level).

The best I could think would be to surgically implant octopus skin made up with human DNA (or anything like that) since some cloned organs are already made up like that (pigs with human DNA, in this case).

Of course, it would still need some technological implants in order to control what the skin would look like, since our brains haven't developed those kinds of skills.

Also, it doesn't necessarily need to be a instantaneous shapeshift, hours, days, weeks, months, as long it works.

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    $\begingroup$ We already shapeshift. Overeat and we get fat. Starve and we get skinny. Work out and we get buff. And regardless of what we do, we get old. $\endgroup$
    – Henry Taylor
    Mar 22, 2021 at 21:47
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    $\begingroup$ What do you mean by "shapeshift" ? What is the most extreme form you would expect a human to become ? At the moment we could (at best) make a human into a human (or a damaged human). $\endgroup$
    – StephenG - Help Ukraine
    Mar 22, 2021 at 22:00
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    $\begingroup$ Nowadays some people have faces that resemble a feline thanks to aesthetic plastic surgery. Is that shape shifting enough for you? $\endgroup$
    – Duncan Drake
    Mar 23, 2021 at 13:00

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The closest we can get to "shapeshifting" with today's technology involves a multi-pronged approach consisting of extensive cosmetic surgery, disguises, and acting ability.

We're nowhere near implanting octopus skin, building nanomachines, genetic sculpting, or even implanting anything more complex than a pacemaker long-term. We can clone people (even if it's never been done publicly) and we can make "designer babies" although our current customization level is rather primitive (eye color, hair color, skin tone, basic stuff). We can't alter someone on a biological level in a reasonable manner once they're already born.

That said though, surgery can and has done things like:

  • Complete face replacements
  • Partial skin replacement
  • Hair implantation (commonly used against balding)
  • Height adjustment (change length of legs)
  • Change someone's gender appearance
  • Head/brain transplant might be possible but it's rather iffy

This means, that provided someone has boatloads money to burn, can find unscrupulous doctors, and is willing to undertake significant personal risk, they'd be able to transform themselves into an unrecognizably different person.

After surgery, the rest of the shape-shifting can be done with mundane disguise work. Clever makeup application, well-made glued wigs, and a new wardrobe to sell the look can make a world of difference.

Finally, to sell a disguise or new appearance, the shapeshifter would need lessons in acting and potentially extensive physical therapy if the surgery has changed their kinesthetic layout (eg if they shortened their legs).

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