As human brains and new technologies become increasingly connectable, the debate about AI personhood and neurorights should get to a new level.
Our task as lawyers is more comprehensive than just helping clients forge their future by taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the applicable law.
We should also contribute to the evolution of the legal norms by anticipating changes and promoting the improvement of the existing rules. It is our responsibility to raise and develop debates to provoke necessary legislative changes and make the public aware of the possible legal solutions we can bring to protect better and secure our rights.
The development of artificial intelligence is the most significant legal challenge humanity currently faces. AI can transform our lives, help us cure diseases, and potentially even make us immortal. However, scientists continuously warn that AI can also destroy humanity.
As lawyers, we cannot just wait and see what changes the politicians decide to implement. We must debate and inform the public about the legal implications of scientific innovations.
We should prepare the ground for adequately addressing the liability problem related to the development of artificial intelligence, which may one day surpass our own mental capabilities.
Elite AI researchers predict that human-level machine intelligence (HLMI) will occur just years from now.
At the same time, scientists are now able to construct human cells with a synthetic genome, develop living entities resembling human embryos (model embryos), and even create embryos from scratch in a lab.
Organoids also present immense potential in the field of medical research. Scientists even point out that biological computing (or bioinformatics) could be faster, more efficient, and more potent than silicon-based computing and AI while requiring little energy. Among the ethical queries that need to be deepened is the possibility that human brain organoids can develop consciousness and feel pain.
Given these technological advancements, we must seriously start rethinking the concept of legal persons able to bear responsibility and possibly extend it to AI.
At the same time, we should elevate the debate on neurorights, this new variety of human rights aimed at protecting human beings' brains and minds from the dangers raised by the development of new technologies (such as neurotechnologies, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnologies).
Implementing such rights in legislation becomes increasingly necessary as new technologies like brain-computer interfaces give unprecedented insights into the human brain. The law should evolve to consider new varieties of concerns related to mental privacy, cognitive liberty, and mental integrity and protect human beings from undue interference.