Emerging applications of neurotechnology and their implications for EU governance : a technology foresight study

This report sums up recent developments in neurotechnology, that is, technology that can monitor, measure and modify central nervous system activity . Some devices record information from the brain, and others deliver stimulation to the brain (and some do both). These technologies are rapidly advancing and are likely to have a profound impact on various aspects of society. In the near future, neurotechnology has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach a range of policy areas, from healthcare, education, employment, law enforcement and security, to more obvious areas such as digital technologies and research. The report analyses advances in the technologies for monitoring and stimulating the brain, some of which are incorporated into neurotechnology devices. It acts as a horizon-scan of new and emerging uses of these technologies, and takes these as inputs to pose a range of questions for the consideration of policymakers.