Media Representation of Ethical Issues in Brain-Computer Interface Technology
Author Information
Author(s): Beck Savannah, Liberman Yuliya, Dubljević Veljko
Primary Institution: North Carolina State University
Hypothesis
How is the ethical discourse surrounding brain-computer interfaces represented in the media?
Conclusion
The study found that media discussions of ethical issues related to BCIs reflect growing public interest and a rising distrust of the technology.
Supporting Evidence
- Privacy was the most common ethical concern mentioned in 47.25% of the articles.
- Safety concerns were discussed in 43.96% of the articles.
- 60.44% of articles recommended more research on BCI technology.
- Balanced or neutral tones were used in 50.55% of the articles.
- Neuralink significantly influenced public discourse on BCI ethics.
Takeaway
This study looked at how the media talks about the ethics of brain-computer interfaces, which help people control devices with their minds. It found that people are worried about privacy and safety.
Methodology
A rapid review of media articles discussing ethical issues of BCI technology from 2013 to 2024, resulting in a final sample of 182 articles.
Potential Biases
The selection of articles discussing ethics may introduce confirmation bias, potentially overlooking more positive portrayals of BCI technology.
Limitations
The study may reflect a more negative view of BCI technology due to its focus on ethical discussions, and it is limited to English-language articles.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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