<
https://theconversation.com/brain-computer-interfaces-could-allow-soldiers-to-control-weapons-with-their-thoughts-and-turn-off-their-fear-but-the-ethics-of-neurotechnology-lags-behind-the-science-194017>
"Imagine that a soldier has a tiny computer device injected into their
bloodstream that can be guided with a magnet to specific regions of their
brain. With training, the soldier could then control weapon systems thousands
of miles away using their thoughts alone. Embedding a similar type of computer
in a soldier’s brain could suppress their fear and anxiety, allowing them to
carry out combat missions more efficiently. Going one step further, a device
equipped with an artificial intelligence system could directly control a
soldier’s behavior by predicting what options they would choose in their
current situation.
While these examples may sound like science fiction, the science to develop
neurotechnologies like these is already in development. Brain-computer
interfaces, or BCI, are technologies that decode and transmit brain signals to
an external device to carry out a desired action. Basically, a user would only
need to think about what they want to do, and a computer would do it for them.
BCIs are currently being tested in people with severe neuromuscular disorders
to help them recover everyday functions like communication and mobility. For
example, patients can turn on a light switch by visualizing the action and
having a BCI decode their brain signals and transmit it to the switch.
Likewise, patients can focus on specific letters, words or phrases on a
computer screen that a BCI can move a cursor to select.
However, ethical considerations have not kept pace with the science. While
ethicists have pressed for more ethical inquiry into neural modification in
general, many practical questions around brain-computer interfaces have not
been fully considered. For example, do the benefits of BCI outweigh the
substantial risks of brain hacking, information theft and behavior control?
Should BCI be used to curb or enhance specific emotions? What effect would BCIs
have on the moral agency, personal identity and mental health of their users?
These questions are of great interest to us, a philosopher and neurosurgeon who
study the ethics and science of current and future BCI applications.
Considering the ethics of using this technology before it is implemented could
prevent its potential harm. We argue that responsible use of BCI requires
safeguarding people’s ability to function in a range of ways that are
considered central to being human."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
