The Philosophy of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Sat, 06 Jun, 2026 at 04:45 pm UTC-04:00

Campus Center, UMass Boston | Boston

Steven Umbrello
Publisher/HostSteven Umbrello
The Philosophy of Brain-Computer Interfaces
Advertisement
Dive into how brain-computer tech is reshaping minds, ethics, and society—live and in person!
About this Event

The Philosophy of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Join us for an exciting in-person gathering where we'll dive into the fascinating world of neurotechnology. Explore how brain-computer interfaces are shaking up our ideas about mind, self, and society. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, philosopher, or just curious, come connect with others and spark big conversations about our digital future!

Leading industry figures and researchers from academic fields including philosophy, cognitive science, and neurology, will debate the philosophical, scientific, and practical implications of neurotechnology. Panellists and keynote speakers present their work on medical applications of BCIs, military uses of neurotechnology, and proper governance of this emerging technology. As BCIs connect brains to computers, and may allow direct communication between brains, they raise fascinating philosophical questions about consciousness, cognition, and selfhood. Can consciousness be distributed across different brains? Is collective cognition possible? What implications would distributed consciousness and collective cognition have for one’s sense of self and personal identity? BCIs also raise deep ethical questions. Might BCIs raise novel privacy concerns through the direct access of information in an individual’s brain? Would BCI neuroenhancements that relieve an individual of some cognitive function prevent them developing certain moral and intellectual virtues? Join us at The Philosophy of Brain-Computer Interfaces for discussion of these and other critical issues arising from the rapidly developing area of neurotechnology.


Friday, June 5

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Opening Remarks + Lunch
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM
Keynote 1: Medical Research and Neurotechnology
Host: Michael Young
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Panel 1: Neurotechnology and Consciousness
Host: Luke Roelofs
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Tea, Coffee, and Snacks
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Keynote 2: Governance and Neurotechnology
Host: Stephen Damianos
🕑: 05:15 PM - 06:30 PM
Evening Mixer
Saturday, June 6

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Coffee & Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Panel 2: Neurotechnology and Ethics
Host: Laura Specker Sullivan
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Keynote 3: Bioethics and Policy
Host: Alta Charo
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Panel 3: Military Applications of Neurotechnology
Host: Bill Casebeer
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Tea, Coffee, and Snacks
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:14 PM
Panel 4: Neurotechnology and Religion
Host: James Hughes
🕑: 04:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Campus Center, UMass Boston, 100 William T Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Boston

The Creative Corner \u2013 Boston Pop-Up
Fri, 05 Jun at 08:00 am The Creative Corner – Boston Pop-Up

Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center

Boston Art & Craft Fair
Fri, 05 Jun at 08:00 am Boston Art & Craft Fair

Rose Kennedy Greenway

Run\/Walk Club with Rozzie Fitness
Fri, 05 Jun at 08:00 am Run/Walk Club with Rozzie Fitness

Fallon field

Nurturing Fathers' Institute  2026
Fri, 05 Jun at 09:00 am Nurturing Fathers' Institute 2026

Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts

Female Founders of Boston June Coffee Meetup
Fri, 05 Jun at 11:00 am Female Founders of Boston June Coffee Meetup

186 South St

La Pause Caf\u00e9
Fri, 05 Jun La Pause Café

French Library / Alliance Française of Boston & Cambridge

Friday Films: Bottoms
Fri, 05 Jun at 02:30 pm Friday Films: Bottoms

Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library

"Color is Meant to Hold Us" Mural Celebration
Fri, 05 Jun at 03:00 pm "Color is Meant to Hold Us" Mural Celebration

Vine Street Community Center

Art as Refuge: Screening + Open Conversation
Fri, 05 Jun at 03:00 pm Art as Refuge: Screening + Open Conversation

565 Boylston St

LEGO Club
Fri, 05 Jun at 03:30 pm LEGO Club

Boston Public Library

Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration
Fri, 05 Jun at 05:00 pm Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration

South Boston Maritime Park

Boston is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Boston Events