The functional differentiation of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) and its ethical implications
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The growth of research and applications of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) has spurred extensive discussion about their ethical implications. However, most existing research has primarily examined ethical issues related to BCIs from a general perspective, with little attention paid to the specific functions of the technology. This has resulted in a mismatch between governance and ethical issues, due to the lack of differentiation between write-in and read-out BCIs. By providing detailed descriptions of the functions and technical approaches of both write-in and read-out BCIs, we argue that ethical governance of BCIs should follow the principle of precise governance and develop refined governance strategies for different functional types of BCIs.
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Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) couple neural activity directly to external devices to augment cognition or control machines.
“Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) couple neural activity directly to external devices to augment cognition or control machines (Sun and Ye, 2023).”
From Toward a humanized technology: a reinterpretation of Erich Fromm’ s humanistic peace psychology (2026) · cites this paper as Sun and Ye, 2023
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Wang, Y., Li, P., & Liu, W. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1646601 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Sun, X.-Y., & Ye, B.
- Affiliations
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Ye, Bin
- ORCID
- Ye, Bin
- Venue
- Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
- Published
- 2023-11-27
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 2055-1045 (ISSN-L)
- 2662-9992
- OpenAlex
- W4389058142
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 5 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 3.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences (19CZX043)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
- Keywords
- brain-computer interface, ethical governance, functional differentiation, neuroethics
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