The past ten years have brought about significant changes in the way we work. Artificial intelligence, remote work, and digital collaboration tools have reshaped the professional landscape, moving a large portion of our work to the online realm and transforming how we interact with our careers. Recent advancements in science are now paving the way for a new era of growth: the incorporation of brain monitoring and neurotechnology into the workplace.
Neurotechnology marks 100 years of breakthroughs
The field of neurotechnology has been around for more than a century and has seen rapid growth with a promising future ahead if public interest continues to increase. In 1924, German psychiatrist Hans Berger recorded the first spontaneous electrical activity from the human brain, initiating a journey of discovery that persists to this day. The exploration of the brain, coupled with advancements in technology for monitoring and enhancing mental function, has been a bold and enduring pursuit.
By the 1980s, technological progress had enabled detailed visualization and tracking of brain activity. In the 1990s, the introduction of the functional MRI allowed scientists to observe real-time brain activity, marking a significant milestone in research.
Neuroeconomics emerges as the next big conversation about workplace trends
Three decades later, neuroeconomics became a focal point of discussion—a field that aims to enhance the workplace through brain monitoring. It merges neuroscience, which studies brain structure and function, with ergonomics, focusing on aligning technology with human capabilities. While still controversial and facing challenges, the integration of this technology will undoubtedly reshape future workplaces, giving them a new look and feel.
Workplaces will soon have access to a growing market of neurotech devices designed to monitor brain activity and employee performance, promising to enhance productivity and technological integration to unprecedented levels. According to Harvard Business Review, the global neurotechnology market is expanding at a rate of 12% annually, with estimates projecting it to reach $21 billion by 2026. These wearable devices measure brain or muscle junction activity, providing insights into mood, alertness, and fatigue. As one of the most invasive technological offerings, it raises numerous unanswered questions.
Protecting brain data: Oversight remains a critical challenge
One of the most significant concerns is data collection and protection. The human brain is deeply personal and precious—it shapes our entire perspective. Allowing workplaces access to our internal neurodata may feel intrusive for many. Society tends to adopt technology gradually, and some advancements take time to be fully embraced. While innovators and leaders envision a promising future, employees will not accept its implementation without considering what they are sharing.
The collection and handling of brain activity data can impact whether it falls under existing protections like HIPAA. This means that protections ensuring privacy and security for physical health data may not apply fully to mental and neural information.
Maintaining fairness in the workplace with neurotechnology
Even more concerning are the challenges in ensuring equity and fairness. Neurodata is generated subconsciously, leaving individuals with no control over the specific information disclosed. If accessible to employers, this data could potentially be used to discriminate against traits identified as problematic by the technology.
These products and discussions, along with trends in neuromarketing, are starting to emerge in the public sphere but remain within a tightly controlled market. The implications are significant. If this technology becomes widespread, it could present considerable challenges, necessitating clear rules and oversight.
In April 2024, a study assessed policy documents from 30 companies offering neurotechnology devices. Sixty percent of these companies failed to inform consumers about how their neural data is managed or what rights they have over it, even in countries with data protection laws. Enhancements in data encryption and user anonymity could be crucial steps in addressing this issue, though they too lack appropriate oversight and advancement.
While the discussions and risks surrounding neurotechnology can be unsettling, there is potential for real transformative change and unprecedented protection in the workplace. Brain monitoring could revolutionize industries such as healthcare and air traffic control, where fatigue and lapses in concentration can have severe consequences. Real-time tracking data could empower employees to take breaks when needed and explore how stress, focus, and emotions affect their work environment in ways never before possible.
From industry leaders to HR professionals, everyone must carefully consider how neurotech could advance progress. Its implementation requires a range of protections and oversight to ensure it serves as a positive force in the workplace rather than a source of fear.
Photo by Marko Aliaksandr/Shutterstock
