Neurotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights
[Status: Completed]
This project, "Neurotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights," investigates the ethical and legal implications of intelligent neurotechnology, especially AI-powered devices decoding brain data for various applications. It aims to establish normative requirements for responsible innovation and delineate an international ethical and legal framework for the global governance of brain data, proactively addressing concerns about data security and potential human rights impacts.
Project Team
external page Marcello Ienca (Project Lead)
Karolina Ignatiadis
Project Partners
external page Columbia University
external page University of Freiburg
external page Medical College of Wisconsin
external page Radboud University
external page University of Pennsylvania
external page University of Zurich
Description
Concomitant progress in microsystems engineering has turbocharged the field of intelligent neurotechnology. Take for example AI-powered devices that decode brain data for clinical, consumer or military applications. In the consumer domain, a growing number of companies are building their business models around neurotechnology. Some companies are actively developing neurotechnological systems directly targeted at consumers, often for “paramedical” applications such as neurofeedback for stress or anxiety relief, or for brain stimulation. These technologies have vast potential to enable more extensive brain monitoring, improve the lives of people with disabilities, and explore new forms of interaction between humans and machines. While it is important to maintain the field’s accelerated growth, at the same time we need to make sure this growth is based on responsible innovation.
This project aims at exploring the normative requirements for responsible innovation in intelligent neurotechnology, with a special focus on proactively assessing the implications of these technologies for human rights. Furthermore, the collection of large amounts of brain data in the hands of private companies raises concerns about the security of these data from unwarranted access and misuse. To this purpose, this project also attempts to delineate an international ethical and legal framework for global governance of brain data.
Ienca, M., & Malgieri, G. (2022). Mental data protection and the GDPR. Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 9(1), lsac006. external page https://doi.org/10.1093/jlb/lsac006
Ienca, M., Fins, J. J., Jox, R. J., Jotterand, F., Voeneky, S., Andorno, R., ... & Kellmeyer, P. (2022). Towards a governance framework for brain data. Neuroethics, 15(2), 20. external page https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-022-09498-8
Ienca, M. (2021). On neurorights. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15, 701258. external page https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.701258
Rickli, J. M., & Ienca, M. (2021). The Security and Military Implications of Neurotechnology and Artificial Intelligence. Clinical Neurotechnology meets Artificial Intelligence: Philosophical, Ethical, Legal and Social Implications, 197-214. external page https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64590-8_15
Ienca, M., & Ignatiadis, K. (2020). Artificial intelligence in clinical neuroscience: methodological and ethical challenges. AJOB neuroscience, 11(2), 77-87. external page https://doi.org/10.1080/21507740.2020.1740352
Ienca, M., & Scheibner, J. (2020). What is neurohacking? Defining the conceptual, ethical and legal boundaries. Ethical Dimensions of Commercial and DIY Neurotechnologies, Cambridge. external page https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.dnb.2020.03.008
Ienca, M. (2019). Democratizing cognitive technology: a proactive approach. Ethics and Information Technology, 21(4), 267-280. external page doi.org/10.1007/s10676-018-9453-9
Ienca, M., & Vayena, E. (2019). Direct-to-Consumer Neurotechnology: What Is It and What Is It for?. American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience, 10(4), 149-151. external page doi.org/10.1080/21507740.2019.1668493
Ienca, M., Jotterand, F., & Elger, B. S. (2018). From healthcare to warfare and reverse: How should we regulate dual-use neurotechnology?. Neuron, 97(2), 269-274. external page https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.017
Ienca, M., Haselager, P., & Emanuel, E. J. (2018). Brain leaks and consumer neurotechnology. Nature biotechnology, 36(9), 805-810. external page doi.org/10.1038/nbt.4240
Ienca, M., & Andorno, R. (2017). Towards new human rights in the age of neuroscience and neurotechnology. Life Sciences, Society and Policy, 13(1), 5. external page doi.org/10.1186/s40504-017-0050-1
Multi-level Governance Framework for Brain Data
This framework advocates for a comprehensive approach across four key pillars: binding regulation (laws and policies), ethics and soft law (guidelines and recommendations), responsible innovation (ethical design of neurotechnologies), and human rights (protecting fundamental rights related to brain data). Ultimately, this framework seeks to maximize the benefits of brain data for scientific and medical advancements while effectively mitigating risks and preventing misuse.
Link: external page https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12152-022-09498-8
