Understanding Neuro Rights in the Digital Age

Apr 2, 2025

Dr. Rolando Masís-Obando, a computational neuroscience researcher at Johns Hopkins, dives into the gripping intersection of neuroethics and technology. He discusses the concept of neuro rights and the urgent need for legal frameworks to protect neural data in our digital age. Rolando unveils fascinating parallels between neural networks and AI, touching on brain-computer interfaces' ethical dilemmas—balancing innovation with privacy. His passion for interdisciplinary connections highlights the importance of curiosity in shaping future technologies.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Curiosity Fueled A Cross‑Disciplinary Path

Rolando traced his curiosity from filmmaking to physics to neuroscience, showing how diverse interests led him to study memory.
He links storytelling, discovery, and entrepreneurship as unified ways to pursue the impossible.

INSIGHT

Laws Lag While Neurotech Advances

Neuro rights matter because laws lag behind fast advances in neurotechnology and AI.
Current privacy laws focus on identification but miss risks like manipulation and agency loss.

INSIGHT

Identification Is An Inadequate Privacy Anchor

Identification-focused privacy misses harms that occur without knowing who is targeted.
Neural data can enable manipulation even when personally identifying details are removed.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode of Coffey and Code, host Ashley Coffey engages with Dr. Rolando Masís-Obando, a computational neuroscience postdoc at Johns Hopkins University. They discuss the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and ethics, particularly focusing on neuro rights and the implications of brain-computer interfaces. Rolando shares insights from his research, the importance of ethical considerations in technology, and the evolving landscape of neural data privacy. The conversation highlights the need for a human-centered approach in shaping the future of technology and neuroscience, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary connections.

Want to hear even more? Listen to Dr. Rolando Masis-Obando's Talk on "Should We Fear AI?" at Princeton Research Day, 2023

Chapters

03:15 The Intersection of Neuroscience and Ethics

09:07 Curiosity and the Journey into Neuroscience

15:28 Neuro Rights and Technology

21:39 Protecting Neural Rights in the Digital Age

24:48 The State of Consumer Privacy

26:31 Neuroscience and Technology: Surprising Insights

32:34 Brain-Computer Interfaces: Opportunities and Ethical Concerns

39:30 The Future of Neuroscience and Neuroethics

45:33 The Journey of Innovation and Adaptability

Connect with Dr. Rolando Masis-Obando on Linkedin and follow his research on neuro rights and the future of innovation.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced and edited by Ashley Coffey. Cover art designed by Ashley Coffey.

Headshot by Brandlink Media

Introduction music composed and produced by Ashley Coffey

LINKS

Follow Coffey & Code on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and YouTube for the latest emerging tech updates! Subscribe to the Coffey & Code Podcast wherever you get your podcasts to be notified when new episodes go live.

© 2025 Coffey & Code Podcast. All rights reserved. The content of this podcast, including but not limited to text, graphics, audio, and images, is the property of Ashley Coffey and may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used in any manner without the express written consent of the owner.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.