Privacy Chats with Rachel and John’s Post

This week at #ClioCon in Austin, Nita Farahany, a renowned scholar on the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging technologies, delivered a powerful keynote on the intersection of neurotechnology and AI. As AI becomes an integral part of daily life, Farahany emphasized the next game-changer: neurotechnology. Key takeaways: ➡ AI is everywhere – From smartphones to law firms, it’s shaping how we live and work. ➡ Neurotechnology is the next big leap – Devices like EEG-equipped headbands are making it possible to interpret brain activity and emotions, with companies like Meta and Apple leading the charge. ➡ Cognitive liberty is critical – Farahany advocates for the establishment of this new human right to protect our mental privacy in the age of brain data commodification. As these advancements rapidly evolve, it’s up to the legal and tech communities to ensure they’re used ethically and protect human values. #AI #Neurotechnology #TechEthics #CognitiveLiberty #ClioCon #LegalTech #FutureOfWork #NitaFarahany #EmergingTech

The fusion of AI and neurotechnology is revolutionizing healthcare, enabling groundbreaking treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and depression. These advances offer hope to millions, restoring speech, mobility, and even mental well-being. Yet, as we marvel at these breakthroughs, we must also confront their ethical implications. Brain implants and consumer neurotechnologies that monitor mental activity are entering a gray area where personal privacy and autonomy are at risk. With neural data potentially becoming a commodity, the very essence of our individuality could be exposed to commercial interests. In Geneva, the UN and other global bodies are pushing for robust regulations to protect human rights in the age of AI-powered neurotechnology. Swiss researchers are also leading the charge, exploring not only the therapeutic potential but also the psychological and ethical consequences of these devices. This moment demands careful thought: How do we balance innovation with mental integrity? What safeguards are needed to prevent misuse, especially by private companies such as Elon Musk's #Neuralink? Neurotechnology is not just about medical progress—it’s about defining the boundaries of our humanity in an AI-driven world. Let’s ensure the future we build respects the dignity and privacy of every individual. What are your thoughts on the intersection of AI, healthcare, and ethics? Share them with me in the comments below or via email: sara.ibrahim@swissinfo.ch You can read my full piece here: https://lnkd.in/dXpVKMMD I thank Milena Costas Trascasas, Marcello Ienca, Ambra D'Imperio, hervé Chneiweiss for their contribution to this piece! #AI #Neurotechnology #Innovation #Ethics #MentalHealth #Privacy

THE PROS AND CONS OF AI POWERED NEUROTECH - URGENT CALL FOR GLOBAL REGULATIONS “Neurotechnologies can undermine privacy, autonomy, and mental integrity like never before.” Milena Costas Trascasas OVERVIEW "Neurotechnologies integrating AI: 1. can treat diseases such as Parkinson's and depression and improve mental well-being, 2. but they can also alter the brain and read the mind. The global community is pushing to regulate them, especially when in the hands of private companies like Elon Musk's Neuralink." UNHRC INITIATIVE "Private companies control the development of these technologies and may access, analyse and use neural data for commercial purposes. This is why the Geneva-based The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has tasked its advisory committee, which includes Costas Trascasas, to prepare a report on the impact and challenges of neurotechnologies." PROMOTING FIELDS "In addition to “neuromarketing,” the UN report also highlights immersive computing devices, like “neurogaming,” as particularly worrisome commercial applications, especially for young people, who risk being drawn into compulsive use and addiction. Technologies aimed at improving work performance and concentration raise numerous ethical and legal questions, as do those promising to enhance human capacities and resilience to stress and emotions, particularly in military contexts." CUTTING COSTS "Thanks to AI, it will soon be possible to stimulate many more brain regionsExternal link through the simultaneous use of thousands of electrodes. This will help develop treatments not only for Parkinson’s but also for other illnesses like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia – conditions that currently account for a third of Europe’s healthcare costs. “Even more minor conditions like migraines are a huge problem for our society, both in terms of costs and personal and family suffering,” says French neurologist and neuroscientist Hervé Chneiweiss https://lnkd.in/gCw3EjtX." NEURALINK "The media attention surrounding Musk has, had the “merit” of drawing attention to the dangers of neurotechnologies, according to Marcello Ienca. The entire global community has mobilised to develop regulations since last year when Neuralink received FDA approval to conduct clinical trials on humans. It was a concerning step for scientists worried about the lack of transparency surrounding Neuralink’s implant which aims to allow people with paralysis to control external devices through thoughts alone." EPILOGUE "While these technological advancements offer hope, they also raise serious questions about their potential to reshape personality and infringe on freedom of thought. While the UNHRC is expected to consider a follow-up resolution regarding neurotechnology regulation in March 2025, its adoption remains uncertain." MY2CENTS The US has always had its "own path", see International Criminal Court LINKS UNHCR report https://lnkd.in/g_smFUww https://lnkd.in/ggubvf2w

Responsible AI Design Starts With Understanding The Human Brain

Just listened to this fascinating talk by Marcello Lenca on AI in clinical neuroscience 🔬🧠 ! https://lnkd.in/eEi33z6e A range of topics were covered, but some things that really caught my attention were: Traditional approaches of studying the brain have been straightforward: scientists would use "forward inference" - manipulating specific psychological functions to identify localized effects in the brain. For example, having participants solve math problems 🧮 while monitoring their brain activity to see which regions become engaged. As technology improved, researchers developed ways to work in the opposite direction through "reverse inference" - reasoning backwards from neural activation data to infer specific mental processes. This capability has been enhanced by AI 🤖 . Gallant's lab demonstrated this by having participants watch video clips while recording their brain activity. They then trained an artificial neural network to reconstruct the visual and semantic content of those clips using only the neural data . In the talk, Marcello references a groundbreaking application from Chang Lab at UCSF: a neuroprosthesis that helps paralyzed patients who can't speak communicate again. The numbers represent a major advance: 78 words per minute using AI to decode brain signals - while this is about half the rate of natural conversation, it's dramatically faster than previous assistive communication technologies ⚡. A demo was shown where a patient with quadriplegia and aphasia could "speak" through this system. The talk then dives into protecting "mental privacy" 🔐 🧠. Brain data is unique because it's both "pre-behavioral" (data that can be collected even in the absence of exhibited behavior) AND carries semantic meaning (like text or voice recordings). Even Apple is integrating EEG into AirPods 🎧 - showing how this tech is moving from medical to consumer space. The talk covered some promising protection approaches being developed: - Privacy Preserving Technology (PPT) - Real-time signal filtering (only keeping clinically relevant info) - New frameworks for data protection through OECD guidelines - Mental Data Protection Impact Assessment (MDPIA), addressing GDPR's limited coverage of brain data Really makes you think about advancing care while protecting our thoughts! Anyone else working at this intersection of neuroscience, AI and ethics? Would love to connect! #Neuroscience #AI #HealthTech #Ethics #Privacy #Innovation #BrainTech

“BCI is the ultimate ‘plus AI’ technology. It connects our most powerful algorithms with our most powerful data source—the human mind.” Read more in our latest blog up on the Paradromics Neuroexplainer: https://lnkd.in/gQbCw-de #AITech #Neurotech #FutureTech #AI

I look foward to speaking at James Lind Institute in Switzerland about our progress in management of #MajorDepressiveDisorder using combination of conversational and machine learning #AI systems. The talk is online and free and should be helpful in understanding role of AI in mental health, including steps to keep online patients safe. I will describe a real time system for improving #safety of patients in AI conversations, specially detecting and acting on risk of #suicide in patient dialogues with AI.

Key Insights from "The Battle for Your Brain" by Nita Farahany Nita Farahany's "The Battle for Your Brain" offers a compelling exploration of the ethical and legal implications of rapidly advancing neurotechnology. The book highlights the following key insights: The Dawn of a New Frontier: Neurotechnology is on the cusp of revolutionizing our lives, offering potential benefits in medicine, education, and entertainment. However, it also poses unprecedented threats to our privacy, freedom of thought, and self-determination. Cognitive Liberty Under Threat: Farahany introduces the concept of "cognitive liberty," encompassing mental privacy, freedom of thought, and self-determination. She argues that this fundamental right is at risk as neurotechnology advances. The Surveillance State in Your Brain: Neurotechnology has the potential to become a powerful tool for surveillance, allowing governments and corporations to access and manipulate our thoughts and emotions. Ethical Dilemmas Abound: The book delves into complex ethical questions surrounding the use of neurotechnology, such as the implications for personal identity, free will, and the nature of consciousness. Urgent Need for Regulation: Farahany emphasizes the urgent need for robust legal and ethical frameworks to govern the development and application of neurotechnology. A Call to Action: The book serves as a wake-up call, urging individuals, policymakers, and researchers to engage in thoughtful discussions about the future of our minds and the importance of protecting cognitive liberty. #neuroscience #technology #techregulations #ethics #technologylaw #technology #cognitiveliberty

In a deliciously ironic twist that feels like something out of a sci-fi comedy, researchers have discovered that some of the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence systems might be experiencing their own version of cognitive decline. A new study finds that leading AI chatbots, including ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, performed poorly on the same cognitive tests used to screen elderly patients for dementia

Let's leave safety concerns aside for a moment... Imagine 10 years from now. How old will you be? Now, think about this: What's the likelihood that, in that time, you'll choose to get an AI chip to "enhance" your cognitive abilities? On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being absolutely certain), how likely are you to embrace this technology? Share your thoughts in the comments! #AI #CognitiveEnhancement #FutureOfTech #Futurism #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eZ5urwi8