Neurotechnology

Research into neurotechnology has made rapid progress in recent years. Neurotechnologies comprise systems that act as a direct interface between the brain and computers. Examples include cochlear implants, which help the hearing-impaired and deaf to hear again or more clearly, and brain scanners that allow paralysed people to communicate by transmitting their thoughts to computers or robots.

Many neurotechnological applications could soon become part of our everyday lives. While they offer enormous potential benefits for diagnosis, therapy, rehabilitation and assistance, they also raise significant ethical questions. For example, who owns the data produced by our brains, and how can our privacy be protected if our thoughts are read? In what circumstances should neurotechnology be permitted to alter our memories, and what would that mean for our sense of identity? How can we protect our free will when companies use neuromarketing techniques to influence us?

With an increasing number of applications being developed for healthy people, the question of how we, as a society, should deal with technology that can measure and influence the brain is becoming ever more important. Many of these neurotechnological applications focus on self-optimisation, such as improving concentration and memory.

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology adopted

In November 2025, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the first international legal text for the ethical development and use of neurotechnologies, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of NeurotechnologyExternal link:. The Recommendation primarily addresses legal and socio-political issues related to neurotechnological applications. Technical issues are not its main focus. This international legal text is the result of a two-year development process: A group of experts drew up an initial draft, which was then subject to a comprehensive international consultation process. In May 2025, a special committee comprising technical and legal experts, who were appointed by the member states, met to negotiate the draft and to agree on the final text. This version was formally adopted in November 2025 and now provides the basis for national measures and regulation in this field.

The German Commission for UNESCO supports national implementation

The German Commission for UNESCO supports the process of transfering the UNESCO Recommendation into concrete national measures. In cooperation with the UNESCO Commissions form Canada and the UK, we published for instance a summary of the key ethical principles and areas of application of the Recommendation. We also regularly inform relevant stakeholders from politics, academia, civil society and the private sector about new initiatives in the field, and organise events that provide concrete recommendations for action.