Policy brief
XR and General Purpose AI: from values and principles to norms and standards

In short

This policy brief explores the ethical challenges of eXtended Reality (XR) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) within the expansive realm of General Purpose Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This brief, addressed to EU policymakers and global stakeholders, delves into human-machine dynamics, ethical data usage, and the urgent need for operational norms and standards in the AI domain.

The document offers important recommendations to enhance ethical practices concerning these emerging technologies and addresses issues like transparency, manipulation risks, user dignity, responsibility, autonomy levels, equitable labor conditions, decency in Generative AI, environmental impacts, and privacy concerns.

Find out more about each recommendation by downloading the policy brief below.

Author

Laurynas Adomaitis (CEA), Alexei Grinbaum (CEA).

Date of publication

06 November 2023

Cite this resource

TechEthos (2023) XR and General Purpose AI: from values and principles to norms and standards. Deliverable to the European Commission. Available at: www.techethos.eu.

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Policy brief
Key messages for the ethical governance of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) research

In short

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), a type of climate engineering technique aimed at mitigating atmospheric heating by reflecting sunlight and heat back into space.

Tailored for EU policymakers and global stakeholders, this policy brief emphasizes ethical governance, international collaboration, and public engagement in SRM research.

To ensure responsible, just and sustainable SRM research, TechEthos project encourages EU policymakers to:

• Define SRM Field Testing, Deployment, and SRM Research on an international level;
• Formulate transparent and accountable EU Research Policy through politically legitimate bodies;
• Adopt a precautionary approach guided by ethical considerations when assessing the risks of SRM research policy programs;
• Include normative values like legitimacy and global justice in assessing SRM implications for human rights.

Find out more about each recommendation by downloading the policy brief below.

Author

Bennet Francis, Dominic Lenzi, Michel Bourban.

Date of publication

30 October 2023

Cite this resource

TechEthos (2023) Key messages for the ethical governance of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) research. Deliverable to the European Commission. Available at: www.techethos.eu.

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Policy brief
Key messages for the ethical governance of neurotechnologies

In short

Neurotechnologies, delving into direct neural system interaction, needs ethical governance. This policy brief outlines recommendations for EU policymakers involved in legislation on neurotechnologies, medical devices, dual-use items, privacy, data protection, and AI systems.

To ensure ethical, legal, and fundamental rights in neurotechnology development, this brief details the following key messages:

• Recognize and define neurorights by incorporating them within existing EU fundamental frameworks;
• Address justice, equality, and discrimination gaps in relation to neurotechnology applications and use cases;
• Monitor and evaluate regulatory frameworks by assessing adequacy of existing regulations for emerging neurotechnology use cases, including consumer and dual-use applications;
• Consider Appropriate Legal Instruments to regulate neurotechnologies in the EU;
• Clarify regulation of AI-based neurotechnologies, specifically addressing use cases under the proposed AI Act.

Find out more about each recommendation by downloading the policy brief below.

Author

Michael J. Bernstein, Wenzel Mehnert, Masafumi Nishi, Renata Mandzhieva, Alexandra Csabi, Eva Buchinger.

Date of publication

30 October 2023

Cite this resource

TechEthos (2023) Key messages on ethical values and principles for neurotechnology development and use. Deliverable to the European Commission. Available at: www.techethos.eu.

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Policy brief
Key messages for the ethical governance of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

In short

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is a pivotal climate engineering technique aiming to mitigate climate change by removing atmospheric CO2 and storing it in geological, terrestrial, or oceanic reservoirs. TechEthos, in its policy brief, delves into the regulatory challenges within EU laws and policies surrounding CDR. Addressed to European Union (EU) policymakers and officials engaged in climate-related initiatives, the recommendations are crafted to ensure ethical, rights-based, and sustainable development of CDR.

To ensure it, TechEthos project encourages EU policymakers to:

• Define the legal status of carbon removals, distinguishing them from emission reductions;
• Advocate for harmonized terms, aligning with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for clarity in discussions on climate engineering, geoengineering, carbon removal, and CDR;
• Seek clarity on CDR’s role in achieving the EU’s binding net-zero target by 2050;
• Explicitly include EU fundamental rights in policies and decision-making processes governing CDR techniques;
• Outline sustainability requirements for CDR, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the EU Taxonomy Regulation, and the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) initiative;
• Promote international collaboration for standardized removal accounting to prevent double counting, ensuring global enforcement;
• Review the adequacy of environmental liability regimes concerning CDR activities, including research and deployment.

Find out more about each recommendation by downloading the policy brief below.

Author

Bennet Francis, Dominic Lenzi, Michel Bourban.

Date of publication

30 October 2023

Cite this resource

TechEthos (2023) Key messages for the ethical governance of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Deliverable to the European Commission. Available at: www.techethos.eu.

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