The Neurotechnology Shift

The Center for the Governance of Change at IE University is proud to announce the launch of The Neurotechnology Shift, a joint research project with Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzman el Bueno that explores the features, drivers, and ethical dilemmas surrounding the migration of neurotechnologies from clinical settings into the consumer market.

A century after the first human brain signal was captured with electroencephalogram, neurotechnology has progressed from a clinical aid for diagnosis to advanced brain-computer-interfaces capable of restoring speech or movement in patients.

These days, the knowledge, techniques, and devices that were originally designed for medical use are increasingly being applied to the consumer market and broader social realms, including education, personalized healthcare, and national security. New patents and acquisitions by tech corporations indicate that neurotechnology is on the brink of becoming mainstream. Meta’s recent announcement of its Neural Band – an EMG wristband that translates the electric signals created by subtle finger movements into commands for your glasses – is a prime example of this shift.

This rapid diffusion creates a dual challenge: first, converting the efficacy and reliability of medical devices to other social and economic contexts where these devices face barriers to effective deployment; and second, developing ethical, legal, and governance frameworks for neuro-technologies that interact directly with the human mind outside of medical supervision.

The project seeks to address these challenges through interdisciplinary research and policy engagement. Its goal is to generate knowledge on this underexplored but fast-moving frontier sector, and to bring insights to key stakeholders and policy discussions so that society can harness the opportunities of neurotechnology while mitigating its risks.

The project is led by José Manuel Muñoz, Head of Neurotechnology at the International Center for Neuroscience and Ethics (Spain) and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Neuroethics Society.

To learn more about The Neurotechnology Shift and stay informed about future publications, events, and research outcomes, visit: