Researchers’ opinions about ethically sound dissemination of BCI research to the public media

BCI research and (future) applications raise ethical questions. A websurvey among 144 BCI researchers identified disseminating BCI research to the public media as a central topic. Most researchers felt that BCI scientists must responsibly communicate with the media and that general ethical guidelines on BCI research and application are needed within the next 5 years. We recommend further debate on ethical aspects related to BCI and the development of guidelines

Managing the Ethical Dimensions of Brain-Computer Interfaces in eHealth: An SDLC-based Approach

A growing range of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies is being employed for purposes of therapy and human augmentation. While much thought has been given to the ethical implications of such technologies at the ‘macro’ level of social policy and ‘micro’ level of individual users, little attention has been given to the unique ethical issues that arise during the process of incorporating BCIs into eHealth ecosystems. In this text a conceptual framework is developed that enables the operators of eHealth ecosystems to manage the ethical components of such processes in a more comprehensive and systematic way than has previously been possible. The framework’s first axis defines five ethical dimensions that must be successfully addressed by eHealth ecosystems: 1) beneficence; 2) consent; 3) privacy; 4) equity; and 5) liability. The second axis describes five stages of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) process whereby new technology is incorporated into an eHealth ecosystem: 1) analysis and planning; 2) design, development, and acquisition; 3) integration and activation; 4) operation and maintenance; and 5) disposal. Known ethical issues relating to the deployment of BCIs are mapped onto this matrix in order to demonstrate how it can be employed by the managers of eHealth ecosystems as a tool for fulfilling ethical requirements established by regulatory standards or stakeholders’ expectations. Beyond its immediate application in the case of BCIs, we suggest that this framework may also be utilized beneficially when incorporating other innovative forms of information and communications technology (ICT) into eHealth ecosystems

BNCI systems as a potential assistive technology: ethical issues and participatory research in the BrainAble project

This paper highlights aspects related to current research and thinking about ethical issues in relation to Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and Brain-Neuronal Computer Interfaces (BNCI) research through the experience of one particular project, BrainAble, which is exploring and developing the potential of these technologies to enable people with complex disabilities to control computers. It describes how ethical practice has been developed both within the multidisciplinary research team and with participants. Results: The paper presents findings in which participants shared their views of the project prototypes, of the potential of BCI/BNCI systems as an assistive technology, and of their other possible applications. This draws attention to the importance of ethical practice in projects where high expectations of technologies, and representations of “ideal types” of disabled users may reinforce stereotypes or drown out participant “voices”. Conclusions: Ethical frameworks for research and development in emergent areas such as BCI/BNCI systems should be based on broad notions of a “duty of care” while being sufficiently flexible that researchers can adapt project procedures according to participant needs. They need to be frequently revisited, not only in the light of experience, but also to ensure they reflect new research findings and ever more complex and powerful technologies

Managing the Ethical Dimensions of Brain-Computer Interfaces in eHealth: An SDLC-based Approach

A growing range of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies is being employed for purposes of therapy and human augmentation. While much thought has been given to the ethical implications of such technologies at the ‘macro’ level of social policy and ‘micro’ level of individual users, little attention has been given to the unique ethical issues that arise during the process of incorporating BCIs into eHealth ecosystems. In this text a conceptual framework is developed that enables the operators of eHealth ecosystems to manage the ethical components of such processes in a more comprehensive and systematic way than has previously been possible. The framework’s first axis defines five ethical dimensions that must be successfully addressed by eHealth ecosystems: 1) beneficence; 2) consent; 3) privacy; 4) equity; and 5) liability. The second axis describes five stages of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) process whereby new technology is incorporated into an eHealth ecosystem: 1) analysis and planning; 2) design, development, and acquisition; 3) integration and activation; 4) operation and maintenance; and 5) disposal. Known ethical issues relating to the deployment of BCIs are mapped onto this matrix in order to demonstrate how it can be employed by the managers of eHealth ecosystems as a tool for fulfilling ethical requirements established by regulatory standards or stakeholders’ expectations. Beyond its immediate application in the case of BCIs, we suggest that this framework may also be utilized beneficially when incorporating other innovative forms of information and communications technology (ICT) into eHealth ecosystems

When HCI Meets Neurotechnologies: What You Should Know about Brain-Computer Interfaces

3rd cycleThe additional fee must be paid to ACM. This text field is large enough to hold the appropriate release statement assuming it is single spaced in a sans-serif 7 point font. Every submission will be assigned their own unique DOI string to be included here. Abstract Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have brought new, exciting and promising perspectives of interaction. On the one hand, active BCIs enable users to control applications (such as assistive technologies or video games) using their brain activity alone. On the other hand, passive BCIs bring the possibility of adapting an application/interface based on users' mental states. In this course, we first aim at introducing BCIs to the HCI community and to discuss how BCI-based applications could benefit HCI. Then, in a practical session, we will propose all participants to implement their own BCI, in a very simple way, using the free Open-ViBE software. Finally, we will have discussions about what is possible or not with BCIs, what are their pros and cons

Optimizing an assistive Brain Computer Interface that uses Auditory Attention as Input

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) allow individuals to operate technology using (typically consciously controllable) aspects of their brain activity. Auditory BCIs utilize principles of Auditory Event Related Potentials or Auditory Evoked Potentials as a reproducible controllable features that individuals can use to operate a BCI. These Auditory BCIs in their most basic format can allow users to answer yes or no questions by listening to either one auditory stimuli or the other. Current accuracy in intended response detection for these kinds of BCIs can be as good as mean accuracy of 77 \%. BCI research tends to optimize the computer side of the system however the ease of use for the human operating the system is an important point of consideration as well. This research project aimed to determine what factors make a human operator able to achieve the highest accuracy using a given previously successfully demonstrated classifier. This research project primarily sought to answer the questions; to what degree people can improve their accuracy in operating an Auditory BCI and what factors of the stimulus used can be altered to achieve this. The results of this project, obtained through the data collected from six individuals, found that slower stimuli speeds for eliciting Auditory Event Related Potentials were significantly better at achieving higher prediction accuracies compared to faster stimulus speeds. The amount of time spent using the system appeared to result in diminishing returns in accuracy regardless of condition however not before an initial spike in greater classifier prediction accuracy for the second condition run on each subject. Although further research is needed to gain more conclusive evidence for or against the hypothesis, the results of this research may be able suggest that individuals can improve their performance using Auditory BCIs with practice at optimal parameters albeit within a given time frame before experiencing diminishing returns. These findings would stand to provide benefit both to continued research in making optimal non-invasive alternative communication technologies as well as making progress in finding the potential ceiling in accuracy that an Auditory BCI can have in interpreting brain activity for the intended action of the user

Transition from the locked in to the completely locked-in state: A physiological analysis

h i g h l i g h t s This represents the first documentation of transition of a patient with ALS from the Locked In State the to Completely Locked In State, and the first EMG documentation of loss of all muscle activities, including sphincter function, but with retained cognition as measured with ERPs. In this patient, any stimulation, communication or learning using visual and tactile stimuli was lost. Visual BCI was useless. The findings suggest ALS as a multisystem disorder, even affecting afferent sensory pathways. a b s t r a c t Objective: To clarify the physiological and behavioral boundaries between locked-in (LIS) and the completely locked-in state (CLIS) (no voluntary eye movements, no communication possible) through electrophysiological data and to secure brain-computer-interface (BCI) communication. Methods: Electromyography from facial muscles, external anal sphincter (EAS), electrooculography and electrocorticographic data during different psychophysiological tests were acquired to define electrophysiological differences in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient with an intracranially implanted grid of 112 electrodes for nine months while the patient passed from the LIS to the CLIS. Results: At the very end of the LIS there was no facial muscle activity, nor external anal sphincter but eye control. Eye movements were slow and lasted for short periods only. During CLIS event related brain potentials (ERP) to passive limb movements and auditory stimuli were recorded, vibrotactile stimulation of different body parts resulted in no ERP response. Conclusions: The results presented contradict the commonly accepted assumption that the EAS is the last remaining muscle under voluntary control and demonstrate complete loss of eye movements in CLIS. The eye muscle was shown to be the last muscle group under voluntary control. The findings suggest ALS as a multisystem disorder, even affecting afferent sensory pathways. Significance: Auditory and proprioceptive brain-computer-interface (BCI) systems are the only remaining communication channels in CLIS

Towards clinical application of implantable brain–computer interfaces for people with late-stage ALS: medical and ethical considerations

Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) frequently develop speech and communication problems in the course of their disease. Currently available augmentative and alternative communication technologies do not present a solution for many people with advanced ALS, because these devices depend on residual and reliable motor activity. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) use neural signals for computer control and may allow people with late-stage ALS to communicate even when conventional technology falls short. Recent years have witnessed fast progression in the development and validation of implanted BCIs, which place neural signal recording electrodes in or on the cortex. Eventual widespread clinical application of implanted BCIs as an assistive communication technology for people with ALS will have significant consequences for their daily life, as well as for the clinical management of the disease, among others because of the potential interaction between the BCI and other procedures people with ALS undergo, such as tracheostomy. This article aims to facilitate responsible real-world implementation of implanted BCIs. We review the state of the art of research on implanted BCIs for communication, as well as the medical and ethical implications of the clinical application of this technology. We conclude that the contribution of all BCI stakeholders, including clinicians of the various ALS-related disciplines, will be needed to develop procedures for, and shape the process of, the responsible clinical application of implanted BCIs

A TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES. BRIDGING PRESENT AND FUTURE WITH A HUMAN-CENTERED PERSPECTIVE

Technology assessment is a systematic approach used to scientifically investigate the conditions and consequences of technology and technicization while determining its social evaluation. This research focuses on the evaluation of an emerging technology, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), which enables direct communication between the brain and an external device. As an emerging technology, BCI is in its early stages of research, facing numerous challenges. To address the assessment of BCIs, a method-ology combining Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) and Foresight within the umbrella con-cept of Future-oriented Technology Analysis (FTA), has been developed and applied. This thesis con-ducts a literature review and applies both structured, open-ended interviews and a survey seeking an-swers to these issues. It explores various social, ethical, legal, and philosophical issues to be addressed in the field of BCIs, both in the present as well as in the future. Understanding the key challenges, de-velopments, and potential future trajectories of this technology is essential to grasp how its applications can offer both opportunities and threats to society at large. The research addresses the concerns of both the Technology Assessment and Brain-Computer Interface communities, offering a comprehensive un-derstanding of how these social, ethical, legal, and philosophical issues may evolve over time. Perspec-tives from various key stakeholders in the BCI field, as well as neurotechnologies in the context of as-sistive technologies, are examined, providing valuable insights for further research in this area.A avaliação de tecnologia é uma abordagem sistemática usada para investigar cientificamente as condições e consequências da tecnologia e da tecnicização, ao mesmo tempo que determina sua avaliação social. Esta pesquisa concentra-se na avaliação de uma tecnologia emergente, a Interface Cérebro-Computador (BCI), que possibilita a comunicação direta entre o cérebro e um dispositivo externo. Como tecnologia emergente, a BCI está em seus estágios iniciais de pesquisa, enfrentando inúmeros desafios. Para abordar a avaliação das BCIs, foi desenvolvida e aplicada uma metodologia que combina a Avaliação Construtiva de Tecnologia (CTA) e a Prospectiva, dentro do conceito geral de Análise de Tecnologia Orientada para o Futuro (FTA). Esta tese realiza uma revisão de literatura e aplica tanto entrevistas estruturadas e abertas quanto um questionário na busca por respostas para estas questões. Ela explora várias questões sociais, éticas, legais e filosóficas a serem abordadas no campo das BCIs, tanto no presente como no futuro. Compreender os principais desafios, desenvolvimentos e possíveis trajetórias futuras dessa tecnologia é essencial para compreender como suas aplicações podem oferecer oportunidades e ameaças à sociedade em geral. A pesquisa aborda as preocupações das comunidades de Avaliação de Tecnologia e Interface Cérebro-Computador, oferecendo uma compreensão abrangente de como essas questões sociais, éticas, legais e filosóficas podem evoluir ao longo do tempo. Perspectivas de diversos atores-chave no campo de BCI, bem como neurotecnologias no contexto de tecnologias assistivas, são examinadas, fornecendo informações valiosas para pesquisas futuras nessa área

Brain-Computer interfaces: from research to consumer products

Brain-computer interfaces have recently made its way into a consumer setting where it could potentially reach new areas of impact. This dissertation addresses the question of how this change in setting impact the experience of the ethical concerns in researchers and consumer innovators. The concept of responsible research and innovation is a novel attempt at expanding the discussion of ethics to both research and innovation. This thesis argues that research settings and consumer innovation settings have different experiences of ethical concerns, which makes this combination a challenge. This thesis also argues that the brain-computer interface discourse has challenges when discussing ethical because they are not often explicitly addressing the nuances in experience there is between different settings. This dissertation contributes to the understanding of what these differences in understanding are and shows that significant changes can be made to reduce the gap between the two settings. This is done with the usage of the AREA which gives a broad understanding of how the ethical concerns are experienced in the two settings. By describing the nuances in the experience of ethical concerns in the two settings, this thesis discusses the impact on both the brain-computer interface discourse as well as the responsible research and innovation discourse.This project/research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under the Specific Grant Agreement No. 785907 (Human Brain Project SGA2