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Prof. Dr. Bert Heinrichs

Bert Heinrichs
© Forschungszentrum Jülich

Professor for Ethics and Applied Ethics

Institute for Science and Ethics (IWE), University of Bonn

Group Leader "Neureothics and Ethics of AI"

Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: Brain and Behaviour (INM-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich

News

February 2026: Neuroethics—status quo and future perspectives

In this article, a review of neuroethics is provided. Building on an earlier paper by Müller et al. (2018), we identify continuities and shed light on more recent important developments. Arguments In particular, we show that neuroethics is partly confronted with new substantive challenges. In addition, the question of how to deal with diversity plays a growing role: neuroethics is increasingly reflecting on the extent to which certain social groups are under- or overrepresented in research and ethical discourse, as well as the resulting blind spots. In this context, adopting a global perspective that takes cultural plurality into account is becoming increasingly important for neuroethics. Finally, we point out existing and emerging forms of institutionalization and networking with which the scientific community is responding to these challenges. Conclusion We argue that neuroethics should focus more on inclusive and participatory research concepts.

Heinrichs, B., Diegelmann, D., Friedrich, O. et al. Neuroethik – eine Bestandsaufnahme und ein Blick in die Zukunft. Ethik Med (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00481-026-00901-z 

Research Projects

Neural organoids: Scientific, ethical, and legal implications of alternative 3D models derived from stem cells (NAWiStem3D)

The research project investigates the epistemic, ethical, and societal issues associated with three-dimensional models of the brain generated from stem cells, known as neural organoids. These are used to study the human nervous system and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and Alzheimer's dementia, and have the potential to advance the individualization of therapies in the future. The project is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach and is being carried out in close collaboration with ethicists at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

RHUNE. Research Hub Neuroethik. https://www.research-hub-neuroethics.net/

The aim of the Research Hub Neuroethics (RHUNE) is to improve the networking of research in the field of neuroethics in Germany, stimulate exchange, promote young scientists, increase the international visibility of German research and create a contact point for non-academic actors interested in neuroethical topics.

InVirtuo 4.0. Gaining knowledge in virtual spaces. https://invirtuo.org/

InVirtuo 4.0 is the new interdisciplinary research profile of in-virtuo research in intensive cooperation between computer science, media science, cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychology researchers. In addition to in-vivo, in-vitro and in-silico methods, in-virtuo experiments in which people interact with virtual environments will enable decisive breakthroughs in experimental research. InVirtuo 4.0 will address the media, social, and ethical problems associated with this intended paradigm shift from a media science perspective and, through collaboration between the participating disciplines, will have a productive effect on their work on central disciplinary challenges.

KI-basierte Gesundheitsvorsorge bei Kindern und Jugendlichen (AI-PHCA). https://www.ai-phca.de/

The AI-PHCA project aims to investigate ways to improve preventive healthcare for children and adolescents through artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches (smartphone apps, web-based applications) from an ethical, legal and social perspective.

Recent Publications

  • Heinrichs, B. (2025). Varieties of Decision-Making. In: Ettinger, U., Heinrichs, B., Murawski, C. (eds) Decision Making. Studies in Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavioral Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00880-0_1
  • Bruni, T., Heinrichs, B. (2025). Künstliche Intelligenz in der Behandlung von Diabetes bei minderjährigen Patienten – Ethische Aspekte. In: Pfannstiel, M.A. (eds) Künstliche Intelligenz im Einsatz für die erfolgreiche Patientenreise. Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-48573-3_28  
  • Kerth, JL., Hagemeister, M., Bischops, A.C. et al. Artificial intelligence in the care of children and adolescents with chronic diseases: a systematic review. Eur J Pediatr 184, 83 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05846-3
  • Wagner, R., & Heinrichs, B. (2024). Four notions of autonomy. Pitfalls of conceptual pluralism in contemporary debates. Human-Machine Communication, 9, 37–50. https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.9.3
  • Raz, A., Heinrichs, B., Avnoon, N., Eyal, G., & Inbar, Y. (2024). Prediction and explainability in AI: Striking a new balance? Big Data & Society, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517241235871.
  • Reinhart, L., Bischops, AC., Kerth, JL et. al. (2024). Artificial intelligence in child development monitoring: A systematic review on usage, outcomes and acceptance. Intelligence-Based Medicine 9, 100134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmed.2024.100134.
  • Heinrichs, B. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Rational Discourse. In: Sturma, Dieter (ed.): Mind and Time. Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives. Freiburg: Alber, 2023, 45-54.
  • Steckmann, U., Heinrichs, B. (2023). Künstliche Intelligenz und menschliches Maß. In: Loh, J., Grote, T. (eds) Medizin – Technik – Ethik. Berlin: J.B. Metzler. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65868-0_2.
  • Heinrichs, B., Karger, C., Heyl, K. et al. (2023). Künstliche Intelligenz in der Medizin. MedR 41, 259–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00350-023-6432-x.
  • Rathkopf C, Heinrichs B. (2023). Learning to Live with Strange Error: Beyond Trustworthiness in Artificial Intelligence Ethics. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics. https://doi:10.1017/S0963180122000688.
  • Halsband, A., Heinrichs, B. (2022). AI, Suicide Prevention and the Limits of Beneficence. Philos. Technol. 35, 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-022-00599-z.
  • Heinrichs, B., Ergin Aslan, S. (2022). Is the Current Informed Consent Model Flawed?. In: Faintuch, J., Faintuch, S. (eds) Integrity of Scientific Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99680-2_55.