Can Neurotechnology Already Read Our Minds?

May 28, 2023

Nita Farahany, a leading expert in neuroscience ethics, discusses the fascinating yet troubling world of neurotechnology. She highlights how advancements could help treat conditions like epilepsy while raising alarms about privacy and individual autonomy. From decoding brainwaves to the risks of data commodification, she emphasizes the need for regulations to safeguard cognitive liberties. Farahany also warns that without oversight, our thoughts could be exploited, posing a risk to fundamental human rights. It's a call for awareness as neurotechnology rapidly evolves.

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INSIGHT

Brainwave Decoding

Brainwaves represent thoughts and experiences, detectable via sensors.
AI can decipher these patterns, revealing mental states and even language.

INSIGHT

AI-Powered Mind Reading

fMRI can decode continuous language and semantic content from brain activity.
Generative AI, like GPT-1, helps predict words based on brain data.

INSIGHT

Brain Transparency

Current devices primarily read brain states like relaxation or focus.
Advancements may enable deciphering specific thoughts and imagined images.

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In this episode we bring you our event ‘The Battle for Your Brain’, recorded on the 2nd of May 2023.

Imagine a world where people who suffer from epilepsy receive alerts moments before a seizure, where the average person can peer into their own mind to eliminate painful memories and we can easily cure addictions. This is also a world where your brain could be interrogated to learn your political beliefs, your thoughts can be used as evidence of a crime, and your own feelings can be held against you.

One of the world’s foremost experts on the ethics of neuroscience, Professor Nita Farahany claims that neuroscience has already made all of this possible today, and neurotechnology will soon become the ‘universal controller’ for all of our interactions with technology. According to Farahany, the growth of commercial neurotechnology could be of immense benefit to humanity, but without safeguards, it could seriously threaten our fundamental human rights to privacy, freedom of thought and self-determination.

With our host Research Director for the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think tank Demos, Carl Miller, Farahany offers a path forward to navigate the complex legal and ethical dilemmas that will fundamentally impact our freedom to understand and define ourselves.

To hear the full length episode of this event and to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, head to intelligence Squared.com/members.

This event was produced by Executive Producer Conor Boyle with editing by Executive Producer Rowan Slaney.

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