NeurotechEU dimension 8: Neurometaphysics

Neurometaphysics explores the philosophical, ethical, and legal implications of neurotechnology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary analyses. This field addresses the broader impact of neurotechnology on society and human capabilities. As neurotechnology rapidly advances, it is reshaping not only what humans can do, but how we understand ourselves as well. Unlike traditional neurotechnology research, which often focuses on technical breakthroughs, Neurometaphysics raises deeper ethical, legal, and philosophical questions, such as how to balance innovation with its societal and ethical responsibilities.

A current example comes from the work of Professor Nick Ramsey at Radboud University, who is advancing brain–computer interface (BCI) technology. His research has enabled a person with tetraplegia to control a virtual drone using only their brain activity, demonstrating the transformative potential of BCIs. At the same time, Ramsey highlights the critical ethical and legal challenges: ensuring safety, defining regulatory frameworks, and protecting users’ neural data. Neurometaphysics addresses these issues by asking how we can balance innovation with ethical responsibility and societal impact. It encourages interdisciplinary analyses that integrate neuroscience, engineering, law, and philosophy, ensuring that technological breakthroughs like BCIs are developed responsibly and safely, while maximizing benefits for individuals and society.

Another example of this dimension comes from Professor Juliette Sénéchal from the University of Lille. She highlights how the rapid integration of AI within neurotechnological devices raises unprecedented regulatory challenges. “There are already many rules — from the AI Act to the GDPR — but we often see very little efficiency despite the abundance of regulation,” she explains. Her recent book, Mind and Machine: Towards Neuro-Ethical Law, co-authored with Sabine Bernheim-Desvaux, examines how European legal instruments can better protect humans against digital influence and manipulation. According to Sénéchal, the interdisciplinary dialogue between law, neuroscience, and computer science is crucial to ensure that “as neurotechnologies become more efficient and invasive, they remain aligned with human dignity and autonomy.” Her current research now focuses on the design of human–machine interfaces, seeking ways to encourage “fair patterns and good practices” in how brains and devices interact — a theme that perfectly embodies the neurometaphysical aim of balancing technological progress with ethical responsibility.

Over the next decade, advances in neural decoding could allow highly precise control of robotic limbs or restore partial movement in people with severe motor impairments. The main challenge will be ensuring these devices are safe, reliable, and able to operate over long periods without frequent recalibration. Looking fifteen years ahead, BCIs might enable speech through neural decoding or even restore limb movement via spinal stimulation.
 

8 Dimensions of NeurotechEU

The eight dimensions of NeurotechEU cover a wide range of topics, from advancing research and treatments to addressing ethical questions related to how technology interacts with the brain, with the objective of creating a bridge between several disciplines. These dimensions aim to tackle what the Alliance identifies as “neurochallenges” – issues that require multidisciplinary approaches at the intersection of neuroscience and neurotechnology.

1. Empirical and clinical neuroscience: Investigating brain function and developing treatments for neurological disorders.
2. Theoretical Neuroscience: Using computational models to explain and predict brain activity.
3. Neuromorphic Computing: Designing computer systems inspired by the brain to enhance efficiency.
4. Neuromorphic Control and Neurorobotics: Creating robots capable of adapting and moving like living beings.
5. Neuroinformatics: Building tools to manage and analyze large-scale brain data.
6. Neuroprosthetics: Developing devices to interface with the brain, restoring or augmenting its functions.
7. Clinical Neurotechnology: Applying digital systems for real-time monitoring and treatment of brain conditions.
8. Neurometaphysics: Exploring ethical, legal, and philosophical issues surrounding the use of neurotechnology.