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Cited by 21Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical InnovationsCybernetics and Technology in SocietyEEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces

AI and Neurotechnology

Berger, Sara, Rossi, Francesca·2023·Communications of the ACM
DOI 10.1145/3529088
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Abstract

The merging of machine, body, and psyche is on the horizon due to the technological advancements enabled by neuroscience and AI.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The article argues that AI and neurotechnology are converging, and that AI ethics offers a useful but incomplete foundation for addressing neuroethics. It maps core AI ethics issues against eight neuroethics concerns, finding most are expanded or newly challenging for neurotech while control/value alignment and transparency are similar.

Key findings

  • AI ethics issues include data privacy/governance, explainability and trust, accountability, fairness, profiling and manipulation, impact on jobs and society, and control/value alignment (Figure 1).
  • Neurotech is divided into three categories: neurosensing (“reads” neurodata), neuromodulating (“writes” data), and combinatorial/bidirectional; AI is increasingly used in neuromodulatory and closed-loop systems.
  • The paper identifies eight core neuroethics issues: mental privacy, human agency and autonomy, human identity, fairness (including access), accuracy, transparency, security, and well-being.
  • In the comparison table, most issues are marked “Expanded” for neurotech versus AI—such as data issues, explainability/trust, accountability, fairness/access, profiling/manipulation, society, mental privacy, autonomy, identity, accuracy, security, and well-being—while control/value alignment and transparency are “Same/Similar.” The paper also notes the international neuroethics community has created more than 20 ethical guidelines, principles, and best practices compiled by the Institute of Neuroethics (IoNx).

Methods

  • Conceptual/comparative article, not an empirical study; no formal sample, data collection, or statistical analysis is reported.
  • It compares AI ethics and neuroethics by defining core issues, summarizing neurotech categories and applications, and presenting a table mapping each issue as same/similar or expanded.
  • It uses illustrative scenarios, such as closed-loop neurotech plus AI for epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease, and draws on prior literature; no systematic review protocol is stated.

Limitations

  • The paper states its comparison table may not be exhaustive and that additional considerations and differences may emerge as AI and neurotech unfold.
  • The paper states neurotech is still emerging, the state of the art is constantly evolving, and additional research is needed before reliable or ethical implementation—including standardization, dataset diversity, validation/replication, and better knowledge of the nervous system and noise.
  • Evident from the text: it is a perspective/contributed article without empirical data or systematic methods, and the authors write from a tech-company perspective (IBM), which they acknowledge as a specific perspective.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1145/3529088

Cites

36 of 36 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

21 of 34 cited sources checked · 14 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation
    § Neurotechnology

    Today, neurotech is most often developed or used within clinical sciences and healthcare to monitor and treat chronic illnesses or injuries, including Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, epilepsy, and depression.

    “Today, neurotech is most often developed or used within the clinical sciences and healthcare spaces to monitor and treat a gamut of chronic illnesses or injuries spanning neurological and psychological ailments, including Parkinson's disease (deep brain stimulation 16 ), chronic pain (spinal cord stimulation 35 ), epilepsy (neuropace), depression (transcranial direct current stimulation 25 ), and”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [16] 16. Hell, F. et al. Deep brain stimulation programming 2.0: Future perspectives for target identification and adaptive closed loop stimulation. Frontiers in Neurology 10 (2019), 314. source
    • cites [35] 35. Russo, M. et al. Sustained long-term outcomes with closed-loop spinal cord stimulation: 12-month results of the prospective, multicenter, open-label Avalon study. Neurosurgery 87 (2020), 485-495. source
    • cites [25] 25. Nitsche, M.A., Boggio, P.S., Fregni, F., and PascualLeone, A. Treatment of depression with transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS): A review. Experimental Neurology 219 (2009), 14-19. source
  • Premisecitation
    § AI and Neuroscience

    AI already pervasively interacts with our nervous systems by influencing, reinforcing, and changing our behaviors and cognitive processes.

    “AI already pervasively interacts with our nervous systems by influencing, reinforcing, and changing our behaviors and cognitive processes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [39] 39. Ward, A., Duke, K., Gneezy, A., and Bos, M.W. Brain drain: The mere presence of one's own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity. J. of the Association for Consumer Research 2 (2017). source

      The Overview of the Experiments (p. 4) reports that the mere presence of a smartphone reduced measured working-memory capacity and fluid intelligence, supporting the narrower point that a device can affect cognitive processes. The paper does not establish that AI interacts with nervous systems or reinforces and changes behavior; its findings concern smartphone presence, not AI. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [10] 10. Dahmani, L. and Bohbot, V.D. Habitual use of GPS negatively impacts spatial memory during self-guided navigation. Scientific Reports 10 (2020), 6310. source

      The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that greater habitual GPS use is associated with reduced spatial-memory abilities and suggests less reliance on the hippocampus during navigation. That supports a specific example of technology affecting cognition, but the paper does not establish that AI pervasively interacts with nervous systems or reinforces behavior across contexts. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [13] 13. From digital amnesia to the augmented mind. Kaspersky Lab (2016); http://bit.ly/3iv4ZLB.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Premisecitation
    § Neurotechnology

    Neurotechnologies can very crudely reconstruct conscious and unconscious mental imagery.

    “They can also very crudely reconstruct conscious and unconscious mental imagery. 24”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] 24. Nishimoto, S. et al. Reconstructing visual experiences from brain activity evoked by natural movies. Current Biology 21 (2011), 1641-1646. source

      The Discussion reports reconstructions of dynamic perceptual experiences from brain activity while participants viewed natural movies. It says reconstruction of visual imagery might be possible and decoding dreams or hallucinations could potentially be possible; it does not report having reconstructed conscious or unconscious mental imagery. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation
    § Neurotechnology

    Neurotechnologies can decode and project very specific and often rudimentary forms of thought, such as imagined handwriting, typing, and other intended and directed movements.

    “Neurotechnologies can decode and project very specific and often rudimentary forms of thought, such as imagined handwriting, 40 typing, 27 and other kinds of intended and directed movements. 28”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [40] 40. Willett, F.R. et al. High-performance brain-to-text communication via imagined handwriting. Nature 593 (2021), 249-254. Sara E. Berger is a research staff scientist and responsible tech lead at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA. Francesca Rossi (francesca.rossi2@ibm.com) is the AI Ethics global leader at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA. © 2023 ACM 0001-0782/23/3 $15.00 <!-- image --> Watch the authors discuss this work in the exclusive Communications video. https://cacm.acm.org/videos/ ai-and-neurotechnology source
    • cites [27] 27. Pandarinath, C. et al. High performance communication by people with paralysis using an intracortical braincomputer interface. eLife 6 (2017), e18554. source
    • cites [28] 28. Pereira, J. et al. EEG neural correlates of goal-directed movement intention. NeuroImage 149 (2017), 129-140. source
  • Premisecitation
    § Neurotechnology

    Some neurotech devices are beginning to restore movement and sensation in people with missing or damaged limbs, spinal cord severation, or sensory loss/impairments.

    “Some neurotech devices are beginning to restore movement and sensation in people with missing or damaged limbs; 38 spinal cord severation; 14 or those with sensory loss, impairments, or differences that individuals want to improve—for example, cochlear implants for deafness 7 or retinal implants for certain kinds of visual impairments. 5”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [38] 38. Schofield, J.S. et al. Long-term home-use of sensorymotor-integrated bidirectional bionic prosthetic arms promotes functional, perceptual, and cognitive changes. Frontiers in Neuroscience 14 (2020), 120. source
    • cites [14] 14. Ganzer, P.D. et al. Restoring the sense of touch using a sensorimotor demultiplexing neural interface. Cell 181 (2020), 763-773. source
    • cites [7] 7. Cochlear implants. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; http://bit.ly/3ZInhK2.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 33
  • May combine two claims. 13
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neurotechnology

    Considerable improvements are required in neurodata acquisition/analysis, standardization of methods, feasibility and accessibility of neurodevices, size and diversity of neuro datasets, and validation of existing results before neurotechnologies can be reliably or ethically implemented.

    “For instance, considerable improvements are required in terms of the ease and speed of acquisition and analysis of neurodata (for future scalability), the standardization of methods, the feasibility and accessibility of neurodevices (for example, to make them more intuitive, less cumbersome, more affordable, and more adaptable to differences across human bodies), the size and diversity of neuro”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30] 30. Rainey, S. and Erden, Y.J. Correcting the brain? The convergence of neuroscience, neurotechnology, psychiatry, and artificial intelligence. Science and Engineering Ethics 26 (2020), 2439-2454. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Neurotechnology

    Neuroscientists have demonstrated the technological capability of brain-to-brain communication, including transferring sensory and perceptual experiences and memories directly between animals using invasive techniques, and manipulating and controlling them.

    “Neuroscientists have also demonstrated the technological capability of brain-to-brain communication; that is, the ability to transfer sensory and perceptual experiences 26 and memories 11 directly between animals using invasive techniques, as well as to manipulate 31 and control them. 6”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [26] 26. Pais-Vieira, M. et al. A brain-to-brain interface for realtime sharing of sensorimotor information. Scientific Reports 3 (2013), 319. source
    • cites [11] 11. Deadwyler, S.A. et al. Donor/recipient enhancement of memory in rat hippocampus. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience 7 (2013), 120. source
    • cites [31] 31. Ramirez, S. et al. Creating a false memory in the hippocampus. Science 341 (2013), 387-391. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § AI and Neuroscience

    Numerous studies indicate that use of smartphones, social media, and GPS has made people more dependent on these technologies and has significantly influenced their attention, spatial navigation, memory capabilities, and underlying neurophysiology.

    “Numerous studies now indicate that our use of smartphones, social media, and GPS has not only made us more dependent on these technologies but has also significantly influenced our attention, 39 spatial navigation, 10 memory capabilities, 13 and even underlying neurophysiology. 21”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [39] 39. Ward, A., Duke, K., Gneezy, A., and Bos, M.W. Brain drain: The mere presence of one's own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity. J. of the Association for Consumer Research 2 (2017). source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [10] 10. Dahmani, L. and Bohbot, V.D. Habitual use of GPS negatively impacts spatial memory during self-guided navigation. Scientific Reports 10 (2020), 6310. source
    • cites [13] 13. From digital amnesia to the augmented mind. Kaspersky Lab (2016); http://bit.ly/3iv4ZLB.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Research regarding ethical concerns elicited by neurotech and AI as well as the need for action in this space is not new.

    “Research regarding ethical concerns elicited by neurotech and AI as well as the need for action in this space is not new”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [36] 36. Sample, M. and Racine, E. Pragmatism for a digital society: The (in)significance of artificial intelligence and neural technology. In Advances in Neuroethics: Clinical Neurotechnology Meets Artificial Intelligence . Springer (2021). source
    • cites [37] 37. Savage, N. How AI and neuroscience drive each other forwards. Nature 571 (2019), S15. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Good or bad use of the technology

    AI is still very far from achieving forms of intelligence close to humans or even animals.

    “Although AI has many applications, it is still very far from achieving forms of intelligence close to humans (or even animals).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] 34. Russell, S. Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control. Viking (2019).

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neuroethics

    The increase in cautionary tales from AI applications resulting in community harms and reactionary mitigation strategies strengthens the need to develop proactive guardrails within an AI-enabled neurotech space.

    “Likewise, if history is any indication of the future, the increase in cautionary tales from AI applications resulting in community harms and reactionary mitigation strategies only strengthens the need to develop proactive guardrails within an AI-enabled neurotech space.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Existing solutions or strategies used by AI might be applied to neurotech applications to mitigate concerns where the fields' ethical issues overlap.

    “Areas such as these, where the fields' ethical issues overlap, are important to highlight because they suggest that some of the existing solutions or strategies (technological and otherwise) used by AI might be applied to neurotech applications to mitigate these specific concerns.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neuroethics

    Well-being is met when all other neuroethics concerns are sufficiently addressed.

    “Likewise, well-being is met when all other concerns are sufficiently addressed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neuroethics

    The eight core neuroethics concerns are not mutually exclusive and are considerably interrelated.

    “Importantly, these concerns are not mutually exclusive and are considerably interrelated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    It may be difficult to establish what kind of neurodata we consent to share.

    “it may also be difficult to establish what kind of neurodata we consent to share”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech poses risks that may not be sufficiently covered by existing AI regulations, governance frameworks, best practices, or company policies, indicating a need to update or develop new preventative strategies, policies, and solutions.

    “However, neurotech also poses risks that may not be sufficiently covered by existing AI regulations, governance frameworks, best practices, or company policies, and this may indicate the need to update or develop new preventative strategies, policies, and solutions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech poses familiar ethical challenges to AI, and both largely converge along issues of value alignment and transparency.

    “When considering the previous list in the specific context of AI ethics, it's clear that neurotech poses familiar ethical challenges, and both largely converge along issues of value alignment and transparency.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neuroethics

    Obtaining informed consent to collect neurodata would involve mental privacy, human autonomy and agency, transparency, and data security assurance.

    “For example, obtaining informed consent to collect neurodata would involve mental privacy, human autonomy and agency, transparency, and data security assurance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    The remaining neuroethics considerations highlight challenges that may be appreciably different, magnified, or expanded compared to AI, given the potential capabilities of neurotech and the sensitivity of neurodata.

    “The remaining neuroethics considerations fall under this kind of divergence, as they highlight challenges that while potentially shared with those posed by AI, may also be appreciably different, magnified, or expanded given the potential capabilities of neurotech and the sensitivity of neurodata.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Neurotechnology

    The merging of machine, body, and psyche is on the horizon due to technological advancements enabled by neuroscience and AI.

    “While once relegated to the realm of science fiction, the merging of machine, body, and psyche is on the horizon due to the technological advancements enabled by neuroscience and AI.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: AI, especially machine learning, is increasingly being used in neuroscience applications.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    To our knowledge, we are the first to summarize and compare the core ethical issues between both technologies, as well as offer guidance and lessons learned from the specific perspective of a tech company that actively participates in both spaces.

    “to our knowledge, we are the first to summarize and compare the core ethical issues between both technologies, as well as offer guidance and lessons learned from the specific perspective of a tech company that actively participates in both spaces”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech poses challenging questions about free will, cognitive liberty, agency, and notions of self-hood that AI may not yet have had to truly address to this extent.

    “it poses challenging questions about free will, cognitive liberty, agency, and notions of self-hood that AI may not yet have had to truly address to this extent”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech may one day directly influence a person's behavior, thoughts, emotions, memories, perceptions, or relationships between these phenomena.

    “neurotech may one day be able to directly influence a person's behavior, thoughts, emotions, memories, perceptions, or relationships between these phenomena”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Some neurotech can directly modify ongoing neural activity and directly feed (or write) data into the nervous system in real time.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Normative assumptions may contribute to complex cultural and intra-community dilemmas.

    “Normative assumptions may also contribute to complex cultural and intra-community dilemmas for similar reasons.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech will also require elements that impact materials sourcing, resource allocation, energy consumption, and supply-chain operations.

    “neurotech will also require elements that impact materials sourcing, resource allocation, energy consumption, and supply-chain operations”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neuroethics concerns around human identity might be most likely to appear later in the application, after prolonged neuromodulation, and seen only through interactions with patients.

    “neuroethics concerns around human identity might be most likely to appear later in the application, after prolonged neuromodulation, and seen only through interactions with patients”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    These capabilities could perpetuate existing inequities and biases or create new avenues for discrimination or malicious targeting that are even harder to see because they are hidden inside us.

    “these kinds of capabilities could perpetuate existing inequities and biases or create new avenues for discrimination or malicious targeting that are even harder to see because they are quite literally hidden inside us”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    This property presents a challenge that many AI methods are not equipped to handle.

    “it presents a challenge that many AI methods are not equipped to handle”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Many of the issues outlined here regarding neurotech will likely be compounded with those of other technologies, including AI, due to their overlap and societal relevance.

    “many of the issues outlined here regarding neurotech will likely be compounded with those of other technologies, including AI, due to their overlap and societal relevance”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Issues of fairness can be found throughout the entirety of the application.

    “issues of fairness can be found throughout the entirety of the application”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    It might be plausible to provide neurotech with private information unknowingly or unintentionally.

    “it might be plausible to provide neurotech with private information unknowingly or unintentionally”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    There is potential for changing the integrity of our mental processes, including our conceptions of identity, through neurotech.

    “This includes the potential for changing (purposefully or not, quantifiably or not) the integrity of our mental processes, including our conceptions of identity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Some neurotech can directly modify ongoing neural activity and directly feed (or write) data into the nervous system in real time.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Some ethical issues are not common throughout the process but appear only within certain contexts.

    “some ethical issues are not common throughout the process but appear only within certain contexts”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Some issues are or could potentially be greatly expanded compared to AI.

    “some issues are or could potentially be greatly expanded compared to AI”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Some concepts may not resonate well with or apply to different cultures, social standards, or global contexts.

    “some concepts may not resonate well with or apply to different cultures, social standards, or global contexts”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech interfaces may exacerbate or compound issues we currently see with AI.

    “neurotech interfaces may exacerbate or compound issues we currently see with AI”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Device sensors do not adequately account for different hair types or skin colors.
    • Rests on an assumption: Instructions and interfaces are designed in a way that widens instead of bridges the current digital or technological divides.
    • Rests on an assumption: Neurotech devices are not available to or affordable for all.
    • Rests on an assumption: Neurotech benefits are not equitably distributed when appropriate.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Neurotech may one day allow us to directly infer and act on neurodata we are unaware of or cannot control, as well as significantly augment or change our mental and physical abilities.

    “neurotech may one day allow us to directly infer and act on neurodata that we are unaware of (for example, unconscious biases or repressed memories) or cannot control, as well as significantly augment or change our mental and physical abilities”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Neurotech may one day allow us to directly infer and act on neurodata we are unaware of or cannot control, and significantly augment or change our mental and physical abilities.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Existing technological harms to well-being are complicated by neurotech applications.

    “existing technological harms to well-being are complicated by neurotech applications”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Ethical considerations are associated with both the technology capabilities and the context in which they are embedded and used.

    “ethical considerations are associated with both the technology capabilities (on the right) and the context in which they are embedded and used (on the left)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Issues of fairness are at stake both for neurotech devices that replace abilities/restore baseline functionality and for those that augment functions or abilities beyond those available in humans.

    “Issues of fairness are at stake not only when we consider neurotech devices that might purposely replace abilities/sensations and restore baseline functionality, but also at extremes when we consider the capability of neurotechnology to augment functions or abilities beyond those available in humans.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    Underlying and unchallenged assumptions about what constitutes 'normative' neurodata or which neurotech outcomes are considered desirable may be biased against people with hidden disabilities or neurological differences.

    “underlying and unchallenged assumptions about what constitutes 'normative' neurodata or which neurotech outcomes are considered desirable may also be biased against people with hidden disabilities or neurological differences”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    This has implications for the general well-being and health of our planet and our communities and adds to negative environmental impacts caused by technology.

    “This has obvious implications for the general well-being and health of our planet and our communities and only adds to the list of existing negative environmental impacts caused by technology.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Ethics in the Age of AI and Neurotech

    These types of closed-loop adaptive neurotechnologies, combined with AI, are not too far off; they are currently being developed and honed for both Parkinson's disease and intractable epilepsy.

    “These types of closed-loop adaptive neurotechnologies, combined with AI, are not too far off; they are currently being developed and honed for both Parkinson's disease 3 and intractable epilepsy. 23”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] 3. Bronte-Stewart, H. Adaptive closed loop neuromodulation and neural signatures of Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (2021); http:// bit.ly/3vZxOTy.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [23] 23. NeuroPace; http://bit.ly/3kdWWmy.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

38 of 38

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI often needs a lot of data.

    “AI often needs a lot of data, so questions about data privacy, storage, sharing, and governance are central for this technology.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most successful AI techniques, such as those based on machine learning, are often opaque in how they reach conclusions from input data.

    “Often the most successful AI techniques, such as those based on machine learning, are opaque in terms of allowing humans to understand how they reach their conclusions from the input data.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Machine learning always has a percentage of error, even if small.

    “Machine learning is based on statistics, so it always has a percentage of error, even if small.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI can derive insights and knowledge on which to make decisions about humans or recommend decisions to humans.

    “AI can derive insights and knowledge on which to make decisions about humans or recommend decisions to humans.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI can interpret our actions and online data to make a profile of us.

    “AI can interpret our actions and the data we share online to make a profile of us, a sort of abstract characterization of some of our traits, preferences, and values to be used to personalize services”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI is pervasive and its applicability expands rapidly.

    “AI is pervasive and its applicability expands rapidly; any negative impacts of this technology could be extremely detrimental for individuals and society.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No single organization can address and solve all AI ethics issues alone.

    “No single organization can address and solve all these issues alone, which is why AI ethics includes experts from many scientific and technological disciplines.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Technical solutions to AI ethics concerns are necessary but not sufficient.

    “Technical solutions to AI ethics concerns, such as software tools and algorithms to detect and mitigate bias, or to embed explicability into an AI system, are certainly necessary. But they are not enough.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI, especially machine learning, is increasingly being used in neuroscience applications.

    “AI, and especially machine learning, is increasingly being used in neuroscience applications.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is evidence for widespread interest in neurotechnologies and/or neurodata collection for market sectors outside healthcare, including education, work, marketing, and military.

    “Although applications are still emerging, there is evidence for widespread interest in neurotechnologies and/or neurodata collection for a variety of market sectors outside those described here, including but not limited to education, work, marketing, and military uses.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge and could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.

    “However, there are at least eight core neuroethics issues that consistently emerge which could pose significant societal, technical, and legal challenges.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neurotech could one day directly collect neurodata and write new information into nervous systems, potentially without being detected.

    “neurotech could one day both directly collect neurodata and write new information into our nervous systems, all potentially without being detected”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Current AI technologies only indirectly influence nervous systems and associated thoughts or behaviors, or do so more slowly or at a level multiple steps removed.

    “current AI technologies humans interact with, which may only indirectly influence our nervous systems and associated thoughts or behaviors-or do so more slowly or at a level that is multiple steps removed”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The majority of the nervous system's signals are unconscious and outside our awareness or control.

    “the majority of our nervous system's signals are unconscious and outside our awareness or control”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There exists a presumption of privacy within one's own mind that seems inaccessible to others or technology.

    “there still exists a presumption of privacy within one's own mind that seems inaccessible to others or technology”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some neurotech can directly modify ongoing neural activity and directly feed (or write) data into the nervous system in real time.

    “some neurotech can directly modify ongoing neural activity and directly feed (or write) data into the nervous system in real time”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neurotech may one day allow us to directly infer and act on neurodata we are unaware of or cannot control, and significantly augment or change our mental and physical abilities.

    “neurotech may one day allow us to directly infer and act on neurodata that we are unaware of (for example, unconscious biases or repressed memories) or cannot control, as well as significantly augment or change our mental and physical abilities”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Device sensors do not adequately account for different hair types or skin colors.

    “Device sensors do not adequately account for different hair types or skin colors”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Instructions and interfaces are designed in a way that widens instead of bridges the current digital or technological divides.

    “instructions and interfaces are designed in a way that widens instead of bridges the current digital or technological divides”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neurotech devices are not available to or affordable for all.

    “devices are not available to or affordable for all”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neurotech benefits are not equitably distributed when appropriate.

    “neurotech benefits are not equitably distributed when appropriate”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Commercialization of neurotech and commodification of neurodata are moving at a speed and scale that could proceed without proper policies and regulations in place.

    “Commercialization of neurotech and the commodification of neurodata are moving at a speed and scale that could proceed without proper policies and regulations in place.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many medical neurotechnologies (PET and some CT/MRI) require contrast agents to visualize certain kinds of neurodata.

    “many medical neurotechnologies (positron emission tomography and some CT or MRI scans, for instance) require contrast agents to be able to visualize certain kinds of neurodata”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some contrast agents, such as fluorine-18, are radioactive and do not degrade in the environment.

    “Some of these contrasts, such as flourine-18, are radioactive and do not degrade in the environment”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Other agents, such as gadolinium, are toxic to the environment and humans over time as concentrations build.

    “other agents, such as gadolinium, are toxic to the environment and humans over time as concentrations build”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A lot of foundational work has been completed over the past five or so years to begin addressing many AI ethics issues.

    “A lot of foundational work has been completed over the past five or so years to begin addressing many AI ethics issues.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Combined with neurotech, AI will bring huge new benefits in healthcare, work, leisure, and more.

    “Combined with neurotech, it will bring huge new benefits in healthcare, work, leisure, and more.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neurotechnologies are still emerging.

    “Given that neurotechnologies are still emerging”
28 of 28

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Bronte-Stewart, H. Adaptive closed loop neuromodulation and neural signatures of Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (2021); http://bit.ly/3vZxOTy.
  2. IEEE P7000 standard series. IEEE Ethics in Action; https://ethicsinaction.ieee.org/p7000.
  3. Illes, J. Neuroethics---Anticipating the Future. Oxford University Press, New York, NY (2017).

Cited by

Still being checked.

Related

Authors
Berger, S., & Rossi, F.
Affiliations
IBM (United States) (US)
ORCID
Berger, Sara
Venue
Communications of the ACM
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Published
2023-02-22
Volume
66
Issue
3
Pages
58-68
ISSN
  • 0001-0782 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7317
DOI
10.1145/3529088
OpenAlex
W4321480373
Semantic Scholar
05b027f4ecdb1746bfdf7b90050262049c15bde9
Cited by
21
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.acm.org/publications/policies/copyright_policy#Background (vor)
Locations
Communications of the ACM (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Cybernetics and Technology in Society
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Keywords
artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, brain-computer interface, human-machine integration

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