Last month, representatives from around the world convened in Paris for a UNESCO-hosted conference to complete a proposed framework of ethical guidelines for the development and use of neurotechnologies. The discussions covered both implantable systems and non-invasive tools, which are increasingly being explored for applications ranging from healthcare to entertainment and education. In Nature, Media Lab research scientist Nataliya Kosmyna and other specialists discussed the proposed guidelines with science journalist Kristel Tjandra ahead of a vote by UNESCO Member States scheduled for November.
According to Liam Drew:
Participants examined a broad spectrum of neurotechnology uses, including devices intended for surgical implantation as well as external, non-invasive systems now under development for medical, educational, and recreational purposes.
Regulatory frameworks are already in place for implanted brain–computer interfaces in jurisdictions such as the United States and the European Union.
However, consumer-oriented neurotechnology—particularly wearable devices—remains subject to far less oversight. According to Nataliya Kosmyna, a neurotechnologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who contributed to drafting the recommendations, this lack of regulation is concerning because such technologies could be adopted and deployed at scale much more rapidly. “It’s very critical to understand the infrastructure and scalability of these devices”, she says.
| More information: Tjandra, K. (2025). Brain-reading devices raise ethical dilemmas—researchers propose protections. Nature, 642 (8067), 280-281., https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-01679-8 |
| Journal information: Nature |
| Article Source: MIT Media Lab |