Workshop 2 — Neuroethics for AI Sentience
16 July 2026, 14:00 UTC
16 July 2026, 14:00 UTC
Online (Zoom) | ⏱ 90-120 minutes
Online (Zoom) | ⏱ 90-120 minutes The Zoom link will be shared with participants ahead of the session.
Overview
This workshop introduces neuroethics as both a theoretical and practical field, combining conceptual reflection with applied ethical analysis. It focuses on digital sentience as an emerging and contested possibility in AI and neurotechnology.
Participants will examine how different interpretations of key concepts—particularly sentience—shape ethical reasoning, scientific practice, and real-world applications across domains.
Purpose
To introduce participants to the conceptual and ethical challenges surrounding claims about digital sentience, while providing tools to critically assess how such concepts are used in research, media, and governance contexts.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recognize conceptual ambiguities in discussions of AI and the brain
- Understand the role of concepts in shaping ethical analysis
- Apply ethical reasoning to emerging neuro-AI technologies
- Critically evaluate claims about digital sentience and their implications
Topics (Draft)
Introduction
- Neuroethics as a theoretical and practical field
- Conceptual challenges in brain research and disruptive technologies
Focus: Digital Sentience
- Examination of claims about digital sentience
- Conceptual analysis of “sentience” and related terms
Ethical Analysis
- How interpretations of digital sentience shape responsibility, trust, and use
- Implications for research, governance, and applications
Closing
- Digital sentience as not only a technical question, but a conceptual and ethical one
- How interpretations influence scientific practice, real-world applications, and ethical outcomes
Format
- Pre-reading primer (shared in advance)
- Lecture (30–45 minutes)
- Interactive segment with case-based discussion
Pre-reading
To help prepare for the workshop, participants are encouraged to read the following papers in advance:
PDF document 197KB
PDF document 712KB
PDF document 1MB
These readings provide useful background on neuroethics, conceptual analysis, and digital sentience, and introduce several of the key concepts that will be discussed during the session.
Speakers/Facilitators
Dr. Karen Rommelfanger
Bio: Dr. Rommelfanger received her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University. She is a professor of neurology, where she founded and led the neuroethics program at Emory. She is a trusted advisor to global policy entities also working closely with the private sector and academic scientists including as a key author of the US BRAIN Initiative’s Neuroethics Roadmap. She is director and founder of the Institute of Neuroethics (IoNx).
Dr. Arleen Salles
Bio: Dr. Salles received her PhD in philosophy from the State University of NY. She founded and directs Neuroética Buenos Aires. As Deputy Leader of Responsible Research and Innovation in the EU Human Brain Project, she led initiatives to integrate neuroethics and philosophy into research packages including designing formal training modules on neuroethics, consciousness & AI ethics. She is senior researcher and founder of IoNx.