Long-term | Extensive enhancement of human brains with BCIs | Transhuman cyborgs treatment of humans as inferior and inconsequential |
| | Vulnerability of those with BCIs to thought control and mind-reading |
| | Loss of individuality to a merged group mind |
| | Immortality of thoughts, memories and whole minds |
Medium-term | Routine use of BCIs as therapy | Cost of BCIs as an obstacle for needy patients |
| | Discomfort or disgust with implants as an obstacle for patients |
| | Question of who controls operation of patients' BCIs |
| | Security of BCIs against hacking |
| | Acceptance of BCIs for enhancement of normal function |
Near-term | Use of BCIs in a translational research setting | Conduct of clinical trials |
| | Developing BCI systems that maximize benefit as opposed to profit |
| | Ownership of intellectual property as an impediment or incentive to biomedical advances |
| | The influence of funding sources on research priorities |