THE NEURORIGHTS ARCADE
Roel Heremans
The NeuroRights Arcades are a series of installations with game consoles and BCI (brain-computer interface) headphones that utilize live neurofeedback to immerse visitors in the ethical implications of emerging neurotechnology and the importance of fundamental NeuroRights, while also encouraging reflection on personal experiences connected to this proposed ethical framework.
Innovation is advancing rapidly, with neuro-wearables and brain-computer interfaces offering new possibilities for gathering information from our brains and influencing our thoughts. However, what occurs when companies or governments use these technologies in ways we may not agree with?
Current social and ethical frameworks do not provide clear answers. In response, researchers from the NeuroRights Initiative at Columbia University have defined several ‘NeuroRights’ to protect our brains from unwanted external influences.
Each arcade explore one of the following themes: Mental Privacy, Personal Identity, Free Will, Equal Access to Mental Augmentation, Protection against Algorithmic Bias.
Roel Heremans (Belgium) lives and works between Brussels and Stockholm) is a transdisciplinary artist examining the interplay of art, ethics, and technology, particularly within video game culture. He composes sonorous fragments that stimulate visitors’ imaginations and foster engaging experiences. Through multi-layered installations and philosophical works, Heremans encourages participants to connect via sound, introspection, and bio data. His diverse practice, grounded in interactive encounters, also encompasses video and works on paper. As a regular public speaker and host of television and radio programs, as well as conferences, Heremans connects with a wide range of audiences through numerous events.