Neurotechnology advances, particularly in the field of brain-computer interfaces, are poised to become a far more routine part of our lives, moving well beyond medical treatment. The widespread use of these technologies raises ethical, human rights, and security concerns.
Following an introduction to the science of neurotechnology, this brief guides readers through the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces, including collaborations between humans and AI. It then addresses key ethical and practical implications of the technology, namely privacy, consent, and human rights, human agency, security and inequality.
The rapid advancement in the technology highlights the need for the United Nations to provide a normative framework. Important considerations include:
Ethical research and equitable development of neurotechnology;
Global data protection standards;
A forum for regulators, private sector actors, users, and scientists;
A better understanding of global security risks.
Neurotechnology has both enormous potential but also some risks that I think we, our societies and the various societies all over the world need to deal with.
Thomas Südhof, Nobel Laureate and Avram Goldstein Professor in the School of Medicine at Stanford University
