Neurotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

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.

Project Partners:
external pageColumbia University
external pageUniversity of Freiburg
external pageMedical College of Wisconsin
external pageRadboud University
external pageUniversity of Pennsylvania
external pageUniversity of Zurich

Project Leader:
Marcello Ienca

Project Team:
Karolina Ignatiadis

Ienca, M., & Ignatiadis, K. (2020). Artificial intelligence in clinical neuroscience: methodological and ethical challenges. AJOB neuroscience, 11(2), 77-87. external pagehttps://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.

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.

Ienca, M. (2019). Democratizing cognitive technology: a proactive approach. Ethics and Information Technology, 21(4), 267-280. external pagedoi.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 pagedoi.org/10.1080/21507740.2019.1668493

Ienca, M., Haselager, P., & Emanuel, E. J. (2018). Brain leaks and consumer neurotechnology. Nature biotechnology, 36(9), 805-810. external pagedoi.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 pagedoi.org/10.1186/s40504-017-0050-1