The rapid advancement of neurotechnology, accelerated by the capabilities introduced by artificial intelligence, is reshaping our understanding of human cognition and autonomy. The technological integration of new tools is happening every 4-6 months. This rapid evolution means that tools capable of modulating or disrupting neural activity may soon become widely available and applied.
To contextualize this, it is important to understand that the brain operates through electrochemical signaling within neural networks. Neurons communicate via action potentials— brief spikes of electrical activity that travel along the axons of neurons. When these signals reach the synapses, neurotransmitters are released, propagating or inhibiting signals to adjacent neurons through chemical signaling. Over time, groups of neurons form functional circuits that govern thoughts, emotions, movements, and bodily functions. This delicate interplay ensures the integrity of human cognition and identity.
Disrupting this electrochemical integrity—or artificially modulating neural activity—can result in profound changes in perception, cognition, and behavior. While such technologies hold tremendous potential for treating neurological disorders, their misuse poses risks to autonomy, dignity, and the fundamental essence of being human.
As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with the human experience, it is imperative that the rights and dignity of natural persons remain prioritized amongst everything else. People should remain empowered to make informed decisions about their own neurological well-being. They should have the right to be people.
While addressing new challenges often requires innovative solutions, we must not overlook the foundation laid by our predecessors. At this juncture, it is worth revisiting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Despite its comprehensive nature, I believe it lacks recognition of a vital emerging issue. In an era of unprecedented technological capability, I propose the inclusion of the following principle:
"Every individual has the right for the ability to think, make decisions, and maintain cognitive independence without external technological manipulation. However, every individual shell have a freedom to choose cognitive dependency on the external systems provided there's a vital necessity or reasonable argumentation for doing so."
This goes beyond the right to security in person. It is about preserving the essence of what it means to be human. To ensure that neurotechnology evolves responsibly, we must establish mental autonomy as a foundational human right.
