China targets development of human brain-machine interface standards

Ethical considerations to assume a critical role

Rather than focusing on interoperability, numerous initiatives for setting technology standards concentrate on technologies like AI and brain-machine interfaces, which are reshaping human-machine interactions, as highlighted by Brad Shimmin, principal analyst for AI & Data Analytics at Omdia. China’s recent committee and organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the United States, are aiming to establish clear guidelines for these emerging standards by prioritizing ethical and safety considerations, according to Shimmin.

“These groups are charged with the challenging responsibility of offering ethical direction, establishing a sustainable framework for innovators to develop solutions, and imposing boundaries on research and experimentation,” Shimmin explained. “Such endeavors can expedite innovation while ensuring that sponsored research aligns with the prevailing socio-political expectations of their home country.”

In the United States, despite the existence of bodies like the IEEE, the country has traditionally supported extensive research and experimentation with novel technologies—albeit with some limitations, as noted by Shimmin. For example, in the US, Elon Musk’s venture Neuralink, specialized in brain-machine interfaces, is currently conducting trials involving the surgical implantation of brain chips in humans; however, the process faced a setback recently when the second participant had to withdraw for medical reasons. Throughout the progression of these trials, organizations such as the National Institutes of Health will continue to engage with policymakers to be ready to intervene in order to curtail potentially risky research, Shimmin concluded.

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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