A Real Life Captain America: Global Biosecurity

After learning about how to use neuroscience to foster peace in the morning, the interns learned how neuroscience may be a threat as well. Dr. Giordano talked about chemicals, biologicals, and neurotechnology devices that are currently in use or being developed, and how they affect the world’s populations.

Interns also learned about Dr. Giordano’s crucial role in advising on matters of national security related to neuroscience and technology. He has worked closely with organizations like the U.S. Military, specifically the U.S. Department of Defense and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to assess the impact of neurotechnologies on military capabilities and ethical guidelines for their use.

Dr. Giordano explained that the Insect-sized is driven by the idea of creating tiny, lightweight, and agile flying machines that can perform surveillance and reconnaissance missions in environments that are challenging for larger drones or humans to access. The military applications for both autonomous drones and insect-sized robots are diverse and could include intelligence gathering, situational awareness, search and rescue operations, and reconnaissance in complex urban environments or hazardous terrains.

It's important to note that the development of military technologies, including autonomous drones and robots, often raises ethical and legal concerns. These concerns revolve around issues such as the potential for misuse, civilian safety, and the role of humans in the decision-making process of such systems. As technologies advance, there is an ongoing need for responsible development and deployment practices to address these issues.

According to Nitin Malepati, “It allowed me to understand the lack of limitations the world has placed on this potentially dangerous topic that can endanger the well-being of many people and destroy political institutions, agencies, and people from the inside without their knowledge.”