When discussing the potential of technology to do remarkable things, we often discuss whether we think the technology is cool or creepy. We have seen sci-fi films and series that portray the idea of controlling some technology using your mind. Well, what if I told you that some researchers and companies are working on Brain-Computer Interfaces to make the same sci-fi fantasy into reality? In this edition of weekly blogs, we’ll explore what BCIs are, how they work, and what potential applications they have in the future. Maybe after you read this post, you would like to share your thoughts on what side of the cool-creepy scale you fall on this emerging technology.
What is a Brain-Computer Interface?
A brain-computer interface, called BCIs, is a set of sensors that enable direct communication between the brain and an external device, such as a computer. The sensors track data in brain activity, which is then interpreted by the computer and used to control various devices. There are generally two types of BCIs: invasive and non-invasive. Invasive BCIs are surgically implanted into a patient’s head to provide more precise control over the data being assessed by the electrode and higher data rates. There are several types of BCIs, and various ways to collect data on brain activity come with that. In general, most of the BCIs that are currently being tested and researched involve the use of electroencephalography (EEG) sensors. EEG is a method to record an electrogram of the brain’s spontaneous electrical activity. These sensors are placed on the scalp to detect electrical activity through the skull. Once the sensors pick up the electrical activity, a computer amplifies and filters the signal. This signal is then translated to commands that prompt a device to do something. These commands control various devices, including prosthetic limbs, robots, and software applications.
Potential Applications and Concerns of BCIs
One of the potentially significant applications of BCI is in prosthetics. BCIs can provide people with disabilities the ability to control their prosthetics with their thoughts, offering a better degree of mobility and independence for the user. Another significant application is in education. BCIs could be used to assess the effectiveness of learning styles on individuals to create a learning experience that benefits the learner the most. BCIs can also have a significant application in healthcare. BCIs can monitor brain activity and diagnose epilepsy and sleeping disorders.
To put it in perspective, a leading BCI company stated that less than 40 people worldwide had implanted BCIs, all experimental. One of the main obstacles to BCI development is that each person is unique. With that, each person generates unique brain signals at varying intensities. This makes it difficult for researchers to create a device accommodating most people. Another concern revolves around the possible legal and security implications of BCIs. For example, cyberattacks are a significant concern in the BCI space because of the potential for hackers to use malware to intercept brain signal data stored on devices connected to the user. Another important consideration for researchers regarding BCI is the brain signal-to-speech translation could cause harm if it is not significantly accurate. For example, using BCIs as speech in a situation where an inaccurate translation might indicate legal or medical consent that the person did not intend to give.
Significant Movers in Brain-Computer Interface Space
A few notable movers are spearheading the research of Brain-Computer interfaces. Elon Musk’s Neuralink is developing an implant placed in the brain through a robot-assisted procedure. He claims the process can be completed in less than an hour and provides options for removal and upgrades. Synchron, another mover in the BCI space, developed a catheter-delivered BCI. They are the only company using the endovascular delivery method to capture signals from the brain. They believe that this method makes BCI technology simpler and safer than the alternative of open-brain surgery. The last company I want to highlight is Blackrock Neurotech. Compared to the previous two companies and their recent waves in the BCI space, Blackrock has been testing in human patients for nearly 20 years. Blackrock Neurotech received FDA breakthrough device designation for its MoveAgain BCI system, which allowed immobile patients to control a range of devices simply by thinking.
The Future of BCIs
While brain-computer interfaces are still in the early stages of development, the potential applications and benefits are immense. In the future, BCIs could revolutionize how we interact with technology, providing a more intuitive and personalized experience for each user. There are still major ethical and privacy concerns regarding this type of technology. The problem regarding the potential for misuse or unauthorized access to brain data still has the public skeptical of this technology. Brain-computer interfaces are a unique and fascinating technological concept. Though it may be several decades before we ever see this technology available to the public, it is still interesting to see this coming on the horizon.
Hi Fernando, I fall more on the cool side of the cool-creepy scale on this one. The ability for people to control prosthetics using this technology is fascinating. It is hard not to think that Neuralink will emerge and be a big player in this field just with the ability that Musk has to market it on Twitter. The ethical side of accessing and using brain data is a huge roadblock that the field must get over and might push this technology further into the future than I would like.
BCIs are a super interesting concept and I thought this was definitely on the creepy side until I read more. Helping those with disabilities control their prosthetics with their thoughts is such an innovative idea that it breaks through the creepy idea of this. Ethical and privacy concerns are something that can be recognized as an issue that needs to be addressed. Great post Fernando!
I thought BCIs were something new to the past decade. I was completely unaware that Blackrock has been testing their Neurotech devices in humans for nearly 20 years. There are so many benefits associated with this type of technology, but I will be cautiously watching as it develops over the next few years. I love the potential it has with connecting people to their prosthetic limbs, but I do not love the thought of a digital attack hijacking your brain. I think I must remain on the creepy side of this debate.
BCI’s I think are absolutely incredible and do have a chance of helping so many people. The cyberattacks would be a concern for me personally, but if I ever lost movement or my ability to communicate, I think I would take that risk to regain my abilities. Watching the videos of the BCI’s that Neuralink developed for the monkeys was fascinating and exciting to see where they might go in the future. So I’m definitely going to have to lean on the cool side.
I really liked how you brought in the idea from class about technology being “creepy or cool” into your blog post. I think the concept of BCI is super cool. My sister is disabled, so the fact that she may be able to regain use of her legs with BCIs would be amazing!
One of my colleagues at BC developed some of the first eye tracker software, which allowed severely disabled kids communicate through a computer using eye movements. It’s pretty impressive stuff. I’m not 100% convinced that BCI will live up to the hype, but I do think there is potential for some innovative applications. Will be interested to see how it all plays out.
Hey Fernando, I find this post super interesting and pretty cool! I consider these findings more cool than creepy even though I do think there is a line of privacy that could be crossed in the future. I remember watching a video about the neuro link and its capabilities. I think technology like this where a device can tell you if you are sick and what you have before you even know would be awesome. Thinking about the possibilities it could do for athletes as well by tracking the body’s heartrate and other odds and ins would be super interesting.
Hi Fernando, I learned a lot from reading your post! Personally, I do not like the idea of receiving a BCI brain implant because it seems too invasive (the non-invasive BCI will be interesting to follow). However, I learned some of the benefits from your post like being able to discover epilepsy and sleeping disorders. I think there will be many more advancements of BCI in the future, and I will definitely be watching to see how many people end up getting the BCI implant. In the future, I believe that BCIs have the ability to completely chance the working landscape because it can give those who receive the BCI a competitive advantage (this may lead to others having no choice but to get the BCI implant to be able to keep up). Overall, this is a very interesting topic, and I really liked your post!
Hey Fernando, this is a really cool post. I did not know people could control their prosthetics with their thoughts using BCI’s, this is so interesting! I also did not know Elon Musk was dabbling in medical technology through Neuralink. I’m excited to see how his efforts will effect the future of medical procedures, and hopefully it lives up to its hopes. The possibilities for improving wellness in the general public could greatly increase through evolving tech like this!
Hi Fernando! I have always heard about this idea and it still sounds so insane, I can’t imagine when it grows into the consumer market. When I heard about Neuralink in the media, I was truly shocked that this type of technology is actually close to being a reality. I will be excited to see how this turns out!
Hey Fernando, I actually came across articles that spoke about BCI and how it relates to Elon Musk’s new project on brain-assisted technology. it’s fascinating to see the applications that this technology will soon make a reality. I want to know why invention has not been in the trending news media. The point of how this tech may encourage unethical practices is definitely something to watch out for.
HI Fernando! Nar to the nar, I don’t think it should not exist, however, I am curious about the preliminary state of communication back to the chip or the chip itself. Especially, cyber-attacks, given one of our speakers believes the next WW will be fought in cyberspace. The legal tyings to this technological innovation seem insurmountable, however, innovations we consider as daily features most likely had the same “creepy” factor.
Hey Fernando! I really enjoyed reading your blog post for this week. Before reading your article, I thought BCI’s were extremely invasive, but your article brought light on the potential benefits that it has. That’s really cool that BCI has so many advantages, especially health-wise, but I definitely still see this technology as creepy. The hijacking and unethical practices are definitely something that are holding me back from being on the “cool” side.