Technology that aims to read your thoughts and explore your memories already exists
In recent years, we’ve seen neurotechnology move from research labs to real-world use. Schools use some devices to monitor children’s brain activity to determine when they are paying attention. Police use others to find out if someone is guilty of a crime. And employers use them to keep employees awake and productive.
These technologies hold great promise to give us a whole new insight into our own minds. But our brain data is valuable and falling into the wrong hands can be dangerous. Jessica Hamzelou, our senior biotech reporter, had a fascinating conversation with Nita Farrakhani, a futurist and legal ethicist at Duke University who wrote a book advocating for new rules to protect our cognitive freedom. Read the story in its entirety.
Jessica’s story is from Checkup, her weekly newsletter that brings you the scoop on all things biotech. Register to get it in your mailbox every Thursday.
Required reading
I’ve combed the web to find the funniest/important/scary/interesting tech stories for you today.
1 Baidu’s Ernie chatbot is not very impressive
One reason for this may be China’s strict internet censorship. (NYT$)
+ The company’s shares fell sharply after its lackluster presentation. (The Guardian)
+ Why large language models begin to behave in strange, unpredictable ways. (Quantum)
+ ChatGPT’s fight for search is bigger than Microsoft or Google. (MIT Technology Review)
