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Embodiment and estrangement: Results from a first-in-human 'intelligent BCI' trial

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 13:52 authored by Frederic GilbertFrederic Gilbert, Cook, M, O'Brien, T, Illes, J
While new generations of implantable brain computer interface (BCI) devices are being developed, evidence in the literature about their impact on the patient experience is lagging. In this article, we address this knowledge gap by analysing data from the first-in-human clinical trial to study patients with implanted BCI advisory devices. We explored perceptions of self-change across six patients who volunteered to be implanted with artificially intelligent BCI devices. We used qualitative methodological tools grounded in phenomenology to conduct in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results show that, on the one hand, BCIs can positively increase a sense of the self and control; on the other hand, they can induce radical distress, feelings of loss of control, and a rupture of patient identity. We conclude by offering suggestions for the proactive creation of preparedness protocols specific to intelligent—predictive and advisory—BCI technologies essential to prevent potential iatrogenic harms.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Science and Engineering Ethics

Volume

25

Pagination

83-96

ISSN

1353-3452

Department/School

School of Humanities

Publisher

Opragen Publications

Place of publication

Po Box 54, Guildford, England, Surrey, Gu1 2Yf

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 The Author(s). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Bioethics