State-of-play and future trends on the development of oversight frameworks for emerging technologies: Part 2: Technology oversight report

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zakaria, Sana

Contributor:

Coringrato, Eva

Gunashekar, Salil

Howard, Ioli

Kapoor, Devika

Pisani, Katarina

Politi, Chryssa

Ross, Alec

Szomszor, Martin

Todsen, Anna Louise

Wade, Imogen

Language:

English

Other Title:

State-of-play and future trends on the development of oversight frameworks for emerging technologies

Place of Publication:

RAND Corporation 2024

Summary:

This RAND Europe study commissioned by Wellcome explores the current and future oversight frameworks for emerging technologies, focusing on organoids, human embryology, engineering biology and neurotechnology. AI and data platforms are considered as cross-cutting technologies with relevance to all other focus areas. The study aims to inform policy and research stakeholders by analysing a variety of oversight mechanisms across jurisdictions identified in Part 1 [AH1] of this study. Part 2 highlights the challenges and opportunities in regulating these technologies, emphasising the need for updated frameworks that address ethical, privacy, and collaboration issues. In Part 2, we use a mixed-methods approach, including desk research, interviews, SWOT analysis and expert elicitation, to examine existing and developing oversight mechanisms. We provide insights into legislative and non-regulatory standards, ethical guidelines and self-regulatory frameworks relevant to key debates on oversight of emerging technologies, including on the lack of specific regulatory frameworks for organoids, ethical challenges in human embryology, fragmented oversight in engineering biology, and privacy concerns in neurotechnology. The study also discusses the potential for dual-use scenarios in neurotechnology and the need for international collaboration in managing biosecurity threats in engineering biology. The report proposes eight priority considerations for future oversight, emphasising the importance of equity, international alignment, risk mitigation, public involvement and adaptive practices. These considerations aim to enhance the global oversight ecosystem and ensure ethical and beneficial applications of emerging technologies. The study underscores the importance of developing comprehensive oversight frameworks that can adapt to rapid technological advancements and address global challenges.