As brain-computer interfaces advance, scientists begin to explore a wider range of brain regions, allowing for an ever-increasing variety of information to be decoded. Researchers have found that through properly designed brain-computer interfaces, users' inner thoughts, intentions and even subconscious contents can be accessed. The discovery raises major concerns about how to protect the privacy of this neural data, especially when combined with artificial intelligence technology, which may be used to predict and manipulate user behavior.

Tom Oxley, CEO of a brain-computer interface company in New York City, pointed out that with the expansion of neurotechnology, AI will continue to improve its decoding capabilities, potentially converting people's thoughts and emotions into data. If this information is used inappropriately, it may lead to an infringement of individual autonomy, especially when technology companies provide targeted marketing by obtaining users' potential reactions. This situation is scary.

The popularity of smart devices has caused consumers to face more and more worries. For example, Apple plans to integrate electroencephalography capabilities into its wireless headphones, a technology whose implementation raises profound concerns about privacy and ethics. Compared with clinical brain-computer interfaces that are restricted by medical regulations, consumer products have almost no restrictions on legal supervision and lack necessary privacy protection and data security mechanisms.

Pushing the boundaries of privacy

Nancy Smith used a brain-computer interface to create music after being paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. Image source: Caltech

Many ethicists believe that the current regulatory framework fails to adapt to the rapidly evolving field of neurotechnology. David Lereskog, an ethicist at the University of Oxford, said that consumer neurodevices generally lack secure data sharing channels, which leaves users' data unprotected and can be used and sold at will. According to recent research, many devices that enhance user experience may combine users’ neural activity with other digital data to form judgments about the user’s mental state or political leanings. This practice, known as “digital inference,” can cause serious harm to users.

Not long ago, the Chilean government and some U.S. states began enacting laws to ensure the privacy and protection of users’ neural data. However, most of these laws focus on the protection of raw data, but ignore how companies use this data to make inferences. Farahani pointed out that this data economy phenomenon has seriously infringed on privacy freedoms and brought potential pressure to users' lives.

For this reason, an increasing number of international agencies, including UNESCO and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, are paying attention to these issues and issuing guidelines. The U.S. Congress is also considering how to formulate corresponding laws to protect users' neural data.

The combination of consciousness and algorithms

Kathy Harrell (with wife Levana Saxon) uses brain implants to generate synthetic speech. Photo credit: Ian Bates/New York Times/Redux/

Brain-computer interface technology is still evolving, and new application scenarios combining artificial intelligence and neurotechnology are beginning to emerge. For example, the company has integrated intelligent chatbots into its devices to assist users in communicating by decoding their intentions. While this technology makes communication more efficient, it also raises concerns about autonomy. When users express their personal opinions, will they be influenced by built-in algorithms, thus changing their underlying intentions?

Industry views on this phenomenon are not unified. On the one hand, technological advancements allow humans to communicate with machines in a more intuitive way; on the other hand, the potential risks of this communication model may lead to the weakening of personal voice, and the user's thoughts and emotions will gradually be included in the control of machines.

Not only that, looking to the future, BCI technology will gradually touch the hearts of users at a deeper level. This opens up new possibilities for recording and decoding of brain-computer interfaces, but it also puts forward higher requirements for the ethical design and use of technology. Farahani and others called for the best interests of users to always be put first when researching and developing BCI technology, rather than just focusing on its commercial value.

In summary, the combination of artificial intelligence and neurotechnology will redefine the way humans think and interact to some extent. However, this progress comes with a crisis of privacy, an infringement of personal freedoms, and the potential abuse of power. Therefore, the scientific community, technology companies and legislators must strengthen cooperation and develop a practical regulatory framework to ensure that users’ privacy and autonomy are effectively protected in this rapidly developing technological era.