Neurotechnologies in the AI Act: Moving away from the Neurorights Debate

This paper examines the potential application of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation 2024/1689) to neurotechnologies (NTs), which increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI) for functions such as neuroimaging, brain-computer interfaces, and neurostimulation. In the light of growing ethical and human rights concerns, including the potential risks of inferring private thoughts, manipulating behavior, and undermining individual autonomy, the study evaluates how the AI Act’s provisions on prohibited and high-risk AI systems apply to AI-assisted NTs. It analyzes four categories of prohibited practices assessing their potential application to NTs: subliminal, manipulative or deceptive techniques; criminal offence risk assessment and prediction; emotion recognition in workplaces or education; and biocategorisation based on sensitive characteristics. It also considers high-risk classifications under Annexes I and III of the AI Act, with particular attention to medical device regulations and profiling activities. The findings suggest that while the AI Act does not directly apply to NTs, its regulation of AI systems that enable or enhance NT functions exerts a substantial regulatory impact. This framework may mitigate many NT-related risks, indicating that calls for creating new “neurorights” may be unnecessary.