Abstract
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a rapidly evolving neurotechnology connecting the human brain with a computer. In its classic form, brain activity is recorded and used to control external devices like protheses or wheelchairs. Thus, BCI users act with the power of their thoughts. While the initial development has focused on medical uses of BCIs, non-medical applications have recently been gaining more attention, for example in automobiles, airplanes, and the entertainment context. However, the attitudes of the general public towards BCIs have hardly been explored. Among the general population in Germany aged 18–65 years, a representative online survey with 20 items was conducted in summer 2018 (n = 1000) and analysed by descriptive statistics. The survey assessed: affinity for technology; previous knowledge and experience concerning BCIs; the attitude towards ethical, social and legal implications of BCI use and demographic information. Our results indicate that BCIs are a unique and puzzling way of human–machine interaction. The findings reveal a positive view and high level of trust in BCIs on the one hand but on the other hand a wide range of ethical and anthropological concerns. Agency and responsibility were clearly attributed to the BCI user. The participants’ opinions were divided regarding the impact BCIs have on humankind. In summary, a high level of ambivalence regarding BCIs was found. We suggest better information of the public and the promotion of public deliberation about BCIs in order to ensure responsible development and application of this potentially disruptive technology.
Highlights
A brain-computer interface (BCI) unlocks human intentions through the use of technology
Nanoethics striking was the ambivalence of attitudes, containing both enthusiasm and concerns. Based on this previous research, our current paper presents one of the first empirical studies explicitly addressing the perspective of the general public on BCI technology
About half of the participants (50.5%) agreed with the statement that they are generally excited about technology, and only 22.9% disagreed with that statement
Summary
A brain-computer interface (BCI) unlocks human intentions through the use of technology. It measures, processes and transfers brain activity signals into. The main goal of BCIs is to replace, restore or supplement impaired neuromuscular functions of patients [3]. There are, various non-medical applications of BCIs, for example in the fields of entertainment and gaming, product design and education, often associated with the goal of enhancing ordinary human performance [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. BCIs are a rapidly growing research area, but they attract the interest of ethicists, legal scholars and the general public. A strong focus lies on questions of acceptance, usability and satisfaction with the aim to improve technological aspects [24,25,26,27,28]
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