Executive summary
The rapid advancement of neurotechnology in
recent years has created significant opportunities
for collecting, storing and utilising neural data to
understand and/or manipulate the human mind.1
Such applications potentially have immense benefits
for both individuals and the broader community.
It is not uncommon to see articles about the
significant positive impacts of the technology – such
as people being able to walk again2 or improving
our understanding of how to treat chronic pain.3
However, neurotechnologies also raise profound
human rights problems which may require the
international community to reconsider how it
approaches several human rights.
Brain implants are not a fundamentally new
technology and have been used in medical
procedures for some time. For example, since
1997, deep brain stimulation has been eliminating
tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease via
electrical impulses to the basal ganglia of the brain.4
However, as technologies improve, the potential
application of neurotechnologies multiplies. This is
especially so when brain computer interfaces (BCIs)
are utilised in conjunction with artificial intelligence
4
(AI), which, in combination, is still a rapidly evolving
area of experimentation.5
Neurotechnology, especially when used in
conjunction with AI (or other forms of emerging
technologies), draws into question the traditional
boundaries placed around an individual’s internal
thoughts and processes. There is a growing body of
literature and international policy which considers
the need to ensure rights‑based approaches that
protect the human mind.
It is likely that neurotechnologies will only become
more pervasive and embedded in the everyday
lives of individuals over the coming decade.6 While
it is important to harness the benefits of these
neurotechnologies, there must also be greater
scrutiny of the legal, ethical and safety implications
of their development and deployment.
This background paper seeks to stimulate discussion
and advance Australia’s understanding of both
neurotechnology and its human rights risks. It is by
no means a comprehensive analysis of every issue
associated with neurotechnology. It is intended to
provide a high‑level ‘snapshot’ of current issues and
challenges which must be considered.
Protecting Cognition: Background Paper on Human Rights and Neurotechnology