Adopted on 11 November 2025 in Samarkand, UNESCO’s recommendation covers the full lifecycle of neurotechnology. It considers medical and assistive benefits alongside protections for autonomy, data and mental integrity.
This normative framework distinguishes, among other things, medical from non-medical uses and treatment from enhancement. A recommendation guides public policy; by itself, it is not a law directly applicable in every country.
Why does this concern our research?
Interfaces between the brain and digital systems implicate a person’s rights even before questions of hybrid intelligence arise. Consent, control over data and freedom of thought provide concrete reference points for examining these devices.