New Neurotechnologies – Ethics, Law and Society

Will neurotechnology soon be everywhere in daily life? Thanks to advances in Artificial Intelligence and device design, the technology is becoming more efficient and easier to use. From the workplace to leisure, education, health and wellness, neurotechnology is increasingly being used beyond specialised medical applications. In the hearing, the German Ethics Council, along with seven experts, would like to discuss the application scenarios that are expected to pose the most significant ethical, legal and social risks, as well as the need for action and possible solutions.

These questions are at the heart of the debate:

• What challenges arise when neurotechnologies capture or influence the emotions, attention or thoughts of large numbers of people?
• Who bears responsibility when neurotechnologies influence brain processes and human actions in the context of advancing human-machine interfaces – possibly without our awareness?
• How can individuals and their perception of themselves change through the use of neurotechnologies?
• What new dependencies and constraints could arise if neurotechnologies are widely used, e.g. at work, in education or in other everyday situations?
• What are the social risks arising from the major involvement of large tech companies in current neurotechnology developments?
• How could social interaction change if, as a result of ubiquitous neurotechnologies, notions of normality change, inequalities increase or values shift?

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