Tech that aims to read your mind and analyze your memories is here
In recent years, we have seen neurotechnologies move from research laboratories to real-world use. Schools have used several devices to monitor children’s brain activity to see if they are paying attention. Police use others to determine whether someone is guilty of a crime. And employers use it to keep workers awake and productive.
These technologies hold the amazing promise of giving us all-new insights into our own minds. But our brain data is valuable, and letting it fall into the wrong hands can be dangerous. Jessica Hamzelou, our senior biotech reporter, had a fascinating call with Nita Farahany, a futurist and legal ethicist at Duke University, who wrote a book arguing for new rules to protect our freedom of thought. Read the full story.
Jessica’s story comes from Checkup, her weekly newsletter that gives you the inside track on all things biotech. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday.
Must read
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s funniest/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Baidu’s Ernie chatbot isn’t very impressive
China’s heavy internet censorship may be part of the reason why. (NYT $)
+ The company’s shares fell after its lackluster unveiling. (The watchman)
+ Why large language models start to behave in strange, unpredictable ways. (Quanta)
+ The search battle powered by ChatGPT is bigger than Microsoft or Google. (MIT Technology Review)