Advancements in neurotechnology, such as the ability to control mouse behavior through implanted images and the use of machine learning systems to infer credit card digits from brain activity, have brought the regulation of the human brain to the forefront of policymakers’ minds. While the responsible use of this technology could help cure stubborn diseases and aid with speech therapy and prosthetic development, unregulated use could have severe consequences, including discriminatory policing and privacy violations. Neuroscientists, philosophers, lawyers, human rights activists, and policymakers are now racing to protect the privacy of the mind.
The Potential Benefits of Neurotechnology
Neurotechnology has the potential to cure diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, assist in speech therapy, and aid with prosthetic development. In order to achieve these potential benefits, researchers are working on developing machines that interact directly with human neurons. However, there is reason for concern as militaries, governments, and technology companies are becoming increasingly interested in the field. Both China and the United States are leading research into neuroscience and artificial intelligence, and the US Defense Department is developing technology that could be used to tweak memories. Companies such as Facebook and Kernel have already developed neurotech wearables that can record brain activity in real-time, and Elon Musk's Neuralink is working on brain implants that could potentially allow for the playing of games using the mind.
Potential Consequences of Neurotechnology
The use of neurotechnology without regulation could lead to severe consequences, including discriminatory policing and privacy violations. For example, researchers have used brain scans to predict the likelihood of criminals reoffending, while Chinese employers have monitored employees' brainwaves to read their emotions. Scientists have also managed to subliminally probe for personal information using consumer devices. Additionally, powerful machine learning systems could make correlations between brain activity and external circumstances, potentially leading to the decoding of thoughts or emotions. This could have dire consequences for people of color, who are already likely to suffer disproportionately from algorithmic discrimination.
Protecting Neurorights
Policymakers are racing to protect the privacy of the mind by developing a set of principles that guarantee citizens' rights to their thoughts and protect them from intruders while taking advantage of the potential health benefits of neurotechnology. Campaigners like Rafael Yuste, who runs the Neurorights initiative at Columbia University, are calling for a set of principles that guarantee citizens' rights to their thoughts and protection from any intruders, while still taking advantage of any potential health benefits. Chile is working on the world’s first law that would guarantee its citizens neurorights, while Spain has adopted a non-binding Charter for Digital Rights that will guide future legislative projects.
Unclear Accountability
The use of brain implants poses questions over accountability as it is unclear whether thoughts would be induced or originate from the brain. With brain implants in particular, it is unclear whether thoughts would be induced or originate from the brain, which poses questions over accountability. Experts say that it may be difficult to discern which tasks are being conducted by the user and which thoughts are being accomplished by the artificial intelligence (AI), simply because the AI is becoming the mediator of the user's own mind. The use of machine learning systems to infer credit card digits from brain activity, for example, poses questions about who is accountable if the technology is used to commit a crime.
Conclusion
Advancements in neurotechnology have raised concerns about privacy violations, discriminatory policing, and accountability. While the technology has potential benefits, policymakers must work to ensure that the responsible use of the technology is in place. Guaranteeing citizens' neurorights will help protect the privacy of the mind and ensure that technologies such as AI can be used for good, but never to control a human being. As such, policymakers are racing to ensure that the potential benefits
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