In a recent article published by the World Economic Forum on augmented reality, the author argues that there are several “solid” reasons to give children microchip implants.
“The limits on implants are going to be set by ethical arguments rather than scientific capacity. For example, should you implant a tracking chip in your child? There are solid, rational reasons for it, like safety. Would you actually do it? Is it a bridge too far?” the WEF’s author ponders.
Besides safety, the WEF says parents might want to microchip their children to augment their reality in the classroom to remedy attention deficit disorder by blocking off certain stimuli. However, the author says this might be better done with smart-tech rather than outright implants so that the kids can actually take off their reality-dampening impediments.
“Many children with attention deficit struggle in school. In the best case, they get special education services or classroom accommodations. However, with extra visual and audio guidance that blocks off excess stimuli, an otherwise-enabled child can cope with a standard school environment,” the WEF article reads. “And when class is over, and playtime begins, they can just take the aids off.”
Dyslexic children are another potential target for getting chipped. According to the WEF, human microchips could translate text in real-time for dyslexic people. Still, the WEF author says that dyslexia is a “personal trait,” and society as a whole must choose whether we “accept human limitations associated with learning or ageing.”
Of course, given the nature of the content and the infamy of the Forum, this article immediately generated a large degree of controversy online. Thus, the WEF has had to call on readers to help them “prevent the spread of disinformation.”
“This article has been intentionally misrepresented on sites that spread false information. Please read the piece for yourself before sharing or commenting. The World Economic Forum is committed to publishing a wide array of opinions. Misrepresenting content diminishes open conversations,” the WEF writes.
You can read the article in question by clicking here.
