Opinion: Why brain decoding is not mind reading — and why that matters
It is never too early to think about the ethical issues that can arise from any new technology.
Recently, my colleagues and I published a study on decoding language from brain recordings made using functional MRI. Brain decoders are being developed to help restore communication to people who have lost the ability to speak or write. Currently, most brain decoders use recordings from implanted electrodes, and are primarily intended for people with motor system disorders. We hope that eventually our brain decoder can provide a non-invasive option for people with a wide range of communication disorders.
Our study has also generated a lot of discussion around what brain decoding technology could mean for mental privacy. While there is still much work to be done before our brain decoder can be used in practice, it is never too early to think about the ethical issues that can arise from any new technology. We want anyone to be able to participate in the discussion around maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of brain decoding technology. To this end, I would like to provide a simple explanation of how brain decoding technology works, what it can and cannot currently do, where my colleagues and I think it could go in the future, and what steps could be taken to help ensure that it is used ethically and appropriately.
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