The NeuroRights Foundation

New Human Rights for the Age of Neurotechnology

Promoting innovation, protecting human rights, and ensuring ethical development of neurotechnology.

The Challenge: Advances in Neurotechnology Outpace Governance

Any technology that records or interferes with brain activity is defined as Neurotechnology. Neurotechnology, especially when paired with artificial intelligence, has the potential to foundationally alter society. In the coming years, it will be possible to decode thought from neural activity or enhance cognitive ability by linking the brain directly to digital networks. Such innovations could challenge the very notion of what it means to be human.

We advocate for human rights frameworks that address Neurotechnology and AI threats

When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948, the future challenges of Neurotechnology and Artificial Intelligence could scarcely be imagined. Consequently, there are no provisions in the human rights document to tackle new risks produced by technological innovations. Rights that were once taken for granted, such as mental privacy or cognitive autonomy, have fallen into jeopardy with the advent of neurotechnologies. 

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Advocating for Innovator Accountability

A Deontology for the Fields of Neurotechnology & AI: There are no unifying codes of ethics governing the neurotechnology field. Neurotechnologies can potentially decipher and display thoughts and intentions of individuals. Ethical guidelines will prompt researchers and practitioners to recognize personal accountability for the societal impacts of their innovations.

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Advocacy.

Our advocacy mission is to support policy and legal institutions as they develop and ratify NeuroRights provisions. The NRF collaboratively develops policy frameworks and works with governing bodies to implement legislation. This work includes drafting ethical guidance documents for public and private sector actors and publishing white papers on emerging topics of relevance.

Public Outreach.

Our public outreach mission is to raise the profile of the human rights risks associated with Neurotechnology and AI. The NRF organizes events and distributes information through various media channels. We hold open debate forums to educate the public about how neurotechnology could impact lives and communities.

Partnership.

Our partnership mission is to mobilize new actors within academia, tech, governments, international organizations, and human rights institutions to incorporate NeuroRights into their mandate.

Board of Directors

  • Rafael Yuste, Chair

    Rafael is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Columbia University and directs its Neurotechnology Center. He led a small group of scientists that inspired the US BRAIN Initiative, announced by President Barack Obama in 2013, and helped form the International Brain Initiative (IBI) in 2017. He also co-led the Morningside Group, a global consortium of interdisciplinary experts advocating for the ethical use of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence.

  • Jamie Daves, Treasurer

    Jamie is the co-founder and managing partner of Everyone, Inc., a venture studio that creates and invests in companies that deploy technology and regenerative economic strategies to advance health, learning, and economic opportunity. He is also a founding team member and board member of the Center for New Data, non-profit making information available to researchers, journalists, and policymakers to support public health, democracy, and other areas essential to the common good.

  • Jared Genser, Secretary and General Counsel

    Jared is an international human rights lawyer. He is a managing director of Perseus Strategies, a public interest law firm, a special advisor on the Responsibility to Protect to the Organization of American States, and an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center.