Overview 

This SPRITE+ Deep Dive focuses on the future evolution of neurotechnologies and the potential implications for TIPSS risks and associated mitigation strategies. 

Neurotechnology is a broad category encompassing technologies that interface with the brain and nervous system, including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), neuroimaging tools (e.g., EEG, fMRI), neurostimulation techniques (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation), and invasive methods such as neural implants. While initially developed for medical applications such as treating neurological disorders, assisting mobility, or restoring sensory function, these technologies are increasingly deployed in consumer, educational, military, and workplace contexts (Ienca & Andorno, 2017; Yuste et al., 2017). 

Over the next decade, we expect neurotechnology to evolve in tandem with other emerging technologies and socio-technical changes. This evolution will be shaped by the so-called "3 Cs" (Capgemini, 2025): 

• Convergence: merging neurotechnology with other domains such as AI, biosensing, and immersive media. 

• Combination: using neurotechnology in concert with tools like virtual/augmented reality for enhanced cognitive interaction. 

• Compounding: the accelerating pace of technological innovation across domains reinforcing neurotechnology capabilities. 

Some trends are already emerging. For example, the integration of AI and neurodata may produce hyper-personalised recommendation systems that exploit subconscious neural responses to stimuli, with major implications for autonomy and manipulative influence (Stieglitz et al., 2023). Combined BCI and AR systems may enable seamless human-computer interaction through thought alone, radically transforming work and leisure environments (Nita et al., 2022). But many second- and third-order effects remain difficult to foresee and demand proactive attention from researchers and policymakers. 

This Deep Dive will explore how the convergence of neurotechnology with other emerging technologies may transform or disrupt key TIPSS domains over a 5–15 year horizon. While literature on neuroethics, neural data privacy, and human enhancement is expanding (e.g., Ienca et al., 2018; Goering et al., 2021), there remains limited authoritative examination of TIPSS-specific implications arising from convergent technology trajectories. 

Aim and Objectives 

This project will build a community of interest to address two overarching questions: 

1. What are the most significant ways in which the convergence, combination, and compounding of neurotechnology and other emerging technologies could transform and disrupt TIPSS in the medium and longer term? 

2. What are the societal, technological, legal and ethical, and research implications of such transformations? 

   
   

To address this, we will: 

• Map the evolving landscape of neurotechnology risks, particularly as these change due to intersection with other emerging technologies; 

• Identify promising technical, socio-technical, legal, and policy avenues for TIPSS risk mitigation; 

• Highlight urgent gaps in research, policy, and regulatory frameworks; 

• Build a multidisciplinary, cross-sector SPRITE+ community including researchers, policymakers, developers, NGOs, and regulators; 

• Showcase cutting-edge research and support early career researchers (ECRs) working in this area. 

  
  

Project Plan 

The project will be led by a multidisciplinary team, supported by a small Steering Group. We will appoint a postdoctoral Research Associate (RA) or Research Fellow (RF) to drive project delivery. 

Initial Phase: 

• Stakeholder mapping across academia, industry, government, and civil society; 

• Production of a scoping paper to guide consultations. 

  
  

Engagement Activities: 

• Kick-off workshop (November 2025): Networking and scoping with stakeholders. 

• UK stakeholder workshop: Explore scenarios of neurotechnology convergence, identify TIPSS risks and mitigation strategies. May include speculative design or futures methods (cf. Ruocco et al., 2024). 

• Community of Interest: build a community of interest in Neurotech and TIPSS and then have online meetings per semester to share findings and stimulate dialogue. 

• International workshop: Showcase emerging findings and strengthen international ties. 

• Conference participation: Submission of sessions to key venues (e.g., Neuroethics Summit, IEEE Brain, CHI). 

• Cross-SPRITE collaboration: This deep dive has direct connection with the closely related WP on extended reality and there is also potential for collaboration with the other two deep dives on Trustworthy Digital Identity and TIPS in digital cities. Some joined up workshops maybe run on topics of mutual interest. 

  
  

Final Phase: 

• Develop a white paper synthesising insights, including stakeholder perspectives, TIPSS challenges, and forward-looking research and policy recommendations. 

• Present findings at the SPRITE+ End of Grant conference (2027). 

Get involved

1. Join the Community of Interest. Please email spriteplus@manchester.ac.uk  

2. Workshops across the next 12 months.