About this event
Neurotechnology is defined as devices that record from and deliver stimulation to the brain. Initially developed for medical and therapeutic purposes, their scope of application is expanding to wellness, recreational, and enhancement purposes.
There is rapid investment in neurotechnology by major tech companies like Apple and Meta who are developing brain wearables that integrate sensors into everyday products. This may bring EEG recordings into mainstream use in homes, workplaces, and schools. With minimal data privacy protections currently in place, big tech companies may soon gain access to the final frontier of personal privacy – your neural data – adding this to the treasure trove of insights they already collect.
What is more, companies like Neuralink, fuelled by the dystopian dreams of Elon Musk, are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with invasive devices that record directly from the brain. Currently, invasive neurotechnology can translate imagined handwriting into speech at a rate of 62 words a minute and can decode imagined movement to reanimate paralysed limbs. This talk will explore where neurotechnology may be heading, and the ethical implications of these developments.
Effective regulatory approaches will be critical to ensure that this technology develops in ways that benefit humanity. This talk will explore the growing movement to establish "neurorights", which aims to adapt human rights laws to address the unique challenges posed by neurotechnology. It will cover international efforts, such as UNESCO’s guidance on the responsible use of neurotechnology, as well as the need for robust legal frameworks at a national level, focusing on recent efforts in Chile to enshrine neurorights into law.
Location
Speaker
