You’ve probably heard about Elon Musk’s Neuralink company which seems to be leading the way in brain implants, but did you know that there are others out there doing the same thing?
Didn’t it seem to come out of nowhere when SpaceX launched their rockets into space and right about that same time we learned about Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic doing the same? Well, the same is true for brain implants aka brain-computer interfaces.
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a rapidly developing field of technology that could revolutionize how we interact with machines and even help us to better understand our own minds. As BCI technology continues to improve, its applications in healthcare, security, gaming, and military research are becoming increasingly viable options for both scientists and tech moguls alike.
What Is Brain-Computer Interface Technology?
Brain-computer interface technology is a type of biotechnology that uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset wired with sensors to monitor electrical activity in the brain and interpret it into readable signals. This allows users to control a computer or other device with their thoughts. BCIs are currently being used to help people with motor disabilities perform simple tasks such as clicking a mouse or typing on a keyboard without having to use their hands. For example, Michael O’Keefe, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been using BCI technology for the last few years so he can perform activities like sending emails and browsing websites independently.
The Benefits of BCIs
BCIs offer numerous potential benefits in various fields. In healthcare, they can be used to diagnose neurological issues and even treat conditions such as depression through deep brain stimulation. They can also provide insight into our neural circuitry by giving scientists the ability to observe what’s going on inside our heads in real time. Meanwhile, the military is interested in using BCIs to create more powerful soldiers through thought-controlled weapons systems or enhanced mental processes such as improved decision-making skills in high stakes situations. Finally, companies like Facebook have already begun testing out BCI technology for application in gaming experiences where players can interact with virtual worlds directly through their thoughts alone.
Tech Moguls Investing in BCI
Not surprisingly, this cutting-edge sector has caught the attention of some major tech moguls including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, and Vinod Khosla who have all made investments into BCI startups over the past few years. However, despite this interest from some of the world’s biggest names in tech innovation, most of these investments have been relatively modest compared with other biotechs due to the fact that no BCI startup has gone public yet.
Challenges Facing BCIs
While BCIs offer great potential there are also numerous challenges facing this technology that need to be addressed before it can reach its true potential. For instance, while neural signals can give us good insight into brain activity, they still only measure electrical activity which leaves out several key components necessary for understanding complex thought processes such as cellular networks or blood vessels within our brains that could be influencing behavior patterns or decisions making processes outside of electrical signals alone. Additionally further research is needed into how long it takes for users to become accustomed to using these devices; currently O’Keefe estimates about six months for full proficiency, but this timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances such as age or health history so more data will be needed before any definitive conclusions can be made about training times across different scenarios.
Conclusion
All things considered it appears clear that although there may still be obstacles ahead brain computer interface technology offers substantial promise so long as researchers are able to find a way around any looming issues while continuing development on improving current capabilities until we reach the point where users are able to access all kinds of information just by thinking about it whether healthcare related diagnostics or controlling video game characters directly by sheer force of thought alone; something which was previously inconceivable not too long ago but now looks increasingly likely over time given enough investment and effort applied towards realizing this future vision sooner rather than later if possible.
