UK data watchdog highlights concerns over potential bias risks associated with neurotechnology

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a warning about the potential bias, discrimination, and privacy threats posed by the rapid advancement of technology that collects and utilizes information directly from the human brain. In a report published on Thursday, the ICO called for new regulations to prevent ethical breaches in the use of neurotechnology applications in non-medical fields and workplaces.

While brain monitors and implants are already being used in medicine for diagnosing and treating nervous system diseases, the use of neurotechnology in other areas such as wellbeing, marketing, and workplaces is spreading quickly. Stephen Almond, the ICO executive director of regulatory risk, stated that people often underestimate the speed at which brain data is being utilized. He emphasized that neurotechnology collects personal information, including emotions and complex behavior, and highlighted the dire consequences if these technologies are developed or deployed inappropriately.

One of the major concerns raised by the ICO is the risk of discrimination when models containing bias are used, leading to inaccurate data and assumptions about individuals. This could result in unfair treatment and hinder career advancement for workers whose brain activity patterns are considered undesirable.

The ICO also expressed concerns about how staff data would be handled and analyzed as employers are expected to adopt neurotech devices on a significant scale by 2028 for monitoring employees and hiring new ones. To address these concerns, the ICO is joining an international movement to establish ethical, regulatory, and governance guidelines for neurotechnology. Unesco will host the first major international conference on the subject next month in Paris.

Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, highlighted the potential benefits and risks of neurotechnology. She stated that while it could help address health issues, it also has the ability to access and manipulate people’s brains, posing threats to human dignity, freedom of thought, and privacy.

The ICO aims to provide guidance within two years following a comprehensive consultation exercise in the UK. The watchdog’s research suggests that professional sports will be early adopters of neurotech, using non-invasive brain monitoring devices to analyze athletes’ responses and concentration levels, as well as track the long-term effects of head injuries.

In the long term, the ICO’s report suggests that “neuroenhancement” devices could aim to improve reaction times and muscular responses, potentially enhancing athletic performance. Additionally, gaming and entertainment are expected to become significant consumer markets for neurotech, as more advanced devices are developed for controlling computers and optimizing user performance through neuromodulation.

The ICO also anticipates concerns about the use of consumers’ brain data, especially if people choose to share it without fully understanding its potential uses and implications.