Introducing Experimental Cognitive Technologies into Therapeutic and Social Practice

Abstract

Increasingly advanced technological tools are becoming progressively integrated into the lives of individuals and society. The process of integration can even go to the extent that a technological tool merges with its user, which can result in the creation of new types of entities. The paper presents two examples of cognitive technologies (cognitive biometrics and brain-computer interfaces) in an attempt to highlight some of the ethical, legal and practical dilemmas which arise from their use. Increasing accessibility to these originally-unforeseen technological products and the unavoidable expansion of their use germinate new ways of interference with human personality. Therefore, a comprehensive legal framework should be drafted without undue delay in order to introduce reasonable and adequate safeguards against the unlawful and unethical use of cognitive technologies in social practice.