named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Consumer Neurotech Accountability
Leads an annual industry scorecard initiative to assess and improve privacy practices of consumer neurotechnology companies
Neurotechnology Governance
Develops legal and ethical frameworks for neurotechnology use, including advocacy for neural data protection laws at national and international levels
Public Education on Neurorights
Produces educational materials and documentaries, such as "Theatre of Thought," to inform the public about neurotechnology risks and rights
Stakeholder Engagement
Convenes experts from science, policy, and industry to guide responsible innovation in neurotechnology and AI
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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AI Governance and Ethical Research 4 activities
- Advocacy for neurorights in national and international policyLeads global advocacy efforts to establish legal protections for neural data and mental privacy, resulting in constitutional amendments, national laws, and sub-national legislation in countries including Chile, Brazil, and the United States. This includes contributing to the world’s first constitutional protections for neurorights in Chile (2021) and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (2023), as well as supporting neurorights legislation in Mexico, Montana, California, and Colorado.
- Development and promotion of international neurotechnology governance frameworksAdvances global governance of neurotechnology through expert consultation and collaboration with international bodies, including the United Nations, European Union, OECD, and Inter-American system. Activities include submitting input on the EU AI Act and OECD Neurotechnology Toolkit, advising the EU Presidency on GDPR and neural data, and contributing to the European Charter for Responsible Development of Neurotechnologies and the Inter-American declarations on neuroscience and human rights.
- Provision of expert guidance to neurotechnology companies and institutionsProvides consultation and ethical guidance to consumer and medical neurotechnology companies, multilateral organizations, and government agencies to promote responsible innovation and alignment with human rights standards.
- Research on neurotechnology privacy and human rights frameworksConducts foundational research on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of neurotechnology, including publishing the first comprehensive report assessing privacy practices of consumer neurotechnology companies and analyzing gaps in international human rights law as applied to neurotechnology. This includes peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Nature and Neuroethics, and the development of ethical principles centered on privacy, identity, agency, and equality.
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Scientific Conference & Symposium Management 1 activity
- Facilitation of expert forums and public discourse on neurotechnology ethicsHosts symposia, virtual summits, and expert workshops—such as at Asilomar for the Brain and Mind—to discuss mental augmentation, equitable access, and responsible innovation in neurotechnology. These forums inform accountability tools like annual industry scorecards and foster dialogue among global stakeholders on medical, consumer, and national security applications.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Production and dissemination of educational media on neurotechnologyCo-produced the documentary film "Theater of Thought" with filmmaker Werner Herzog, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and provides free educational screenings to governments, universities, and civil society organizations globally to raise awareness about neurotechnology and mental rights.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$125K
Contributions & grants$125K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$104K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$90K
balance sheet
Total assets$44K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$44K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- SEAN PAUZAUSKIE — MEDICAL DIRECTOR
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- American Medical Association Partner — Engaged in efforts to establish medical consensus on neural data privacy through policy adoption.
- Cathy Kipp Partner — Collaborated on the development and introduction of Colorado House Bill 24-1058 to include neural data in the Colorado Privacy Act.
- Chuck Schumer Partner — Supported efforts to urge the Federal Trade Commission to protect neural data through a joint letter initiated in April 2025.
- Columbia University Partner — Hosted the Neurorights Initiative led by Dr. Rafael Yuste.
- ConsumerReports Partner — Collaborates with ConsumerReports to review consumer neurotechnology products and co-develop privacy and human rights frameworks.
- Daniel Zolnikov Partner — Collaborated on the development and introduction of Montana Senate Bill 163 to protect neural data and define mental augmentation under state law.
- Ed Markey Partner — Supported efforts to urge the Federal Trade Commission to protect neural data through a joint letter initiated in April 2025.
- European Union Partner — Engaged in advocacy and consultation on neurotechnology governance
- Fundación Kamanau Partner — Collaborates with the Neurorights Foundation to advance neurorights protections in Latin America through legislative and policy engagement.
- Government of Brazil Government — Partnered with the Neurorights Foundation at federal and state levels to advance constitutional reforms protecting mental privacy and brain data.
- Government of Chile Government — Collaborated with the Neurorights Foundation to pass the world’s first constitutional amendment protecting neurorights.
- Government of Mexico Government — Engaged with the Neurorights Foundation to introduce constitutional amendments and adopt the Charter of Digital Rights including neurorights.
- Inter-American Juridical Committee Government — Worked with the Neurorights Foundation to develop and adopt Inter-American declarations on neuroscience, neurotechnologies, and human rights.
- James Maroney Partner — Introduced Connecticut SB-1295, which included neural data protections influenced by the Neurorights Foundation’s prior legislative work, though the Foundation was not directly involved in drafting or advocacy.
- Jared Genser Partner — Co-author of multiple research reports on neurotechnology and human rights
- Jared Genser Partner — Co-author on publications advocating for neurodata privacy and international policy engagement.
- Jared Genser Partner — Co-hosts podcast discussions with Dr. Rafael Yuste on the safety and ethics of neurotechnology.
- OECD Partner — Provided input on the OECD Neurotechnology Toolkit
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Government — Supported efforts that contributed to Canada's federal-level recognition of neural data as sensitive information.
- Presidency of the European Union Partner — Advised on applying GDPR to neural data
- Rafael Yuste Partner — Co-author and collaborator on multiple publications related to neurotechnology ethics and regulation.
- Rafael Yuste Partner — Co-author of multiple research reports on neurotechnology and human rights
- Rafael Yuste Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Rafael Yuste on educational and advocacy content related to neurotechnology and neurorights.
- Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers Partner — Collaborated on draft national data privacy legislation and amendments to include neural data in the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024.
- Sara Goering Partner — Collaborator on research establishing ethical priorities for neurotechnologies and AI.
- Senator Josh Becker Partner — Collaborated on the development and introduction of California Senate Bill 1223 to include neural data in the California Consumer Privacy Act.
- Senator Maria Cantwell Partner — Collaborated on draft national data privacy legislation and amendments to include neural data in the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024.
- United Nations Government — Engaged in expert consultations with the UN on neurorights and neurotechnology governance.
- United Nations Human Rights Council Government — Engaged to pass a unanimous resolution on neurotechnology and human rights, leading to a commissioned report by its Advisory Committee.
- Werner Herzog Partner — Collaborated on the creation of the documentary film "Theatre of Thought" about the human brain.
+ 3 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Five Neurorights Framework for Ethical Governancemethodology: five-neurorights-frameworkBy establishing a rights-based framework of five neurorights—mental privacy, identity, agency, fair access to mental augmentation, and protection from algorithmic bias—the organization enables enforceable ethical governance of neurotechnology, because grounding neuro-specific rights in existing human rights treaties creates a legitimate, actionable foundation for regulation and public advocacy.
- Legal Precedent and Norm Shaping Through Policy Advocacymethodology: norm_and_legislation_shapingBy advancing legislation and influencing policy at state, national, and international levels, the organization establishes binding legal protections for mental privacy and neural data, because early legal precedents create ripple effects that raise regulatory standards globally and position neurorights as a critical domain of human rights law.
- Multi-Stakeholder Bridging to Align Innovation with Human Rightsmethodology: multi-stakeholder_bridgingBy convening scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and the public, the organization shapes responsible neurotechnology development, because collaborative dialogue across domains fosters shared ethical standards and accelerates the translation of principles into practice across sectors.
- Public Engagement Through Accessible Media and Filmmethodology: film-based public engagementBy using documentary film and educational media to communicate complex ethical issues, the organization builds public awareness and support for neurorights, because cinematic storytelling and philosophical inquiry foster deeper reflection on consciousness and technology than technical discourse alone, leading to broader civic engagement.