Neurotechnology encompasses both hardware and software that directly measure, access, monitor, analyse, predict or modulate the nervous system to understand, influence, restore or anticipate its structure, activity and function. E.g., brain-computer interface (BCI)
- In recent times, the integration of AI with neuroscience can impact key aspects of the human brain, including reasoning, learning, perception, prediction, planning, and control.
Concerns related to Neurotechnology
- Mental Integrity: Unlike many other frontier technologies, it can directly access, manipulate and emulate the structure of the brain.
- Personal Identity & Psychological Continuity: Protection of one’s sense of self (compromises freedom of thought) and memory including autonomy and privacy from Memory modification or manipulation changing “who a person is”.
- Use of Neural Data: Corporations might exploit neural data collected through neurotech devices for targeted marketing or commercial gain.
- Social Inequalities: Unequal deployment of neurotechnology could intensify existing social divides, potentially leading to greater social tension and conflict.
Way Forward (Recommendations by UNESCO)
- Legal Protection and Regulation: Enact laws to control neurotechnology use, especially beyond scientific, medical, or judicial purposes.
- Data Policy: Develop robust, fair and agile regulatory and legal frameworks to govern the collection, processing, sharing and all other uses of neural data.
- Equitable Access: Promote equitable access to science- and evidence-based, safe and reliable neurotechnology.