What if Your Brain Could Confess?

Neuroscientists have developed deeper understanding of how the brain stores memories offering the possibility that in the coming decades scientists may be able to decode memories.

The possibility raises questions for policymakers about how such technology would reshape human society. Neuro-evidence could be introduced in courtroom proceedings and to disrupt criminal behavior while also presenting serious ethical questions. How would humans respond to knowledge that their memories may be searched at some point in the future?

In this poll ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, TIME asks key questions about how neuro-evidence would change the way you live your life. The results of the poll will be presented in a panel hosted by TIME Assistant Managing Editor Rana Foohar in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22.

Subscribe to TIME

Get our Space Newsletter. Sign up to receive the week's news in space.

Please enter a valid email address.

* The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again.

Sign Up Now

An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later.

Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME.

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you!

For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.

Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com.