Neurons and Machines: Philosophy, Ethics, Policies, and the Law

Already, computer scientists, legal scholars and policy makers have been invited to consider whether new digital ontologies—such as ‘neural data’ and ‘mental data’—should complement the familiar categories of data and metadata. Likewise, as brain-computer interfaces and other neurotecnologies increasingly blur the boundaries between human and machine, new ethical, legal and technological challenges have emerged regarding the protection and empowerment of bio-technologically augmented individuals.

At the same time, the ubiquitous presence of AI and its increasingly general capabilities—manifesting a wide array of human-level and human-like skills—reveal entirely uncharted territories. One interesting possibility is the gradual integration of humans with AI through neurotechnologies and brain-computer interfaces. Another possibility is the development of AIs operating autonomously. In either scenario, unprecedented questions emerge, surrounding the moral status, legal personhood and citizenship of AI-powered minds.

Though distinct, these and similar issues—at the critical points where philosophy of mind and cognitive science, ethics, legal and political philosophy and emerging cognitive technologies intersect—share a common thread: They all invite us to introduce new—or reinterpret existing—ethical principles, legal frameworks as well as national and international policies to navigate the unprecedented changes that these transformative innovations generate for biological, hybrid and artificial minds.

By bringing together diverse perspectives from fields such as (but not limited to) philosophy of mind, metaphysics, neuroscience, law, computer science, artificial intelligence and anthropology, we aim to collaboratively examine this emerging theme and explore pathways toward ethical and equitable solutions.