Nesta’s Hot Topics event focused on the new wave of technology that can interact with our brain. This report presents the key ideas covered.

Key arguments:

• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) have been central to huge medical breakthroughs. However, BCI was described as a new continent where we are still in a tent pitched at the edge.
• The subject of human enhancement goes beyond the treatment of illness or disability to explore how we can augment our brains and bodies with the aim to enhance our lives.
• A discussion on the future of BCI cannot escape philosophical and ethical dimensions of the development of this type of technology. The panellists provided perspectives on these issues.
• Although artificial intelligence may offer advantages, we have yet to create a computer that can rival the human brain in many respects.

Hot Topics is a series of Nesta events focused on the new ideas and technologies that will change business and society in the next few years.

September's event 'Mind over matter - will computers enhance or limit our brains in the 21st century?' focused on the new wave of technology that can interact with our brain, exploring potential applications and considerations for the future.

The report draws together some of the key ideas covered on the day, with further examples, links and videos available on the event resources page.

Author:

Nesta