BACKGROUND

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) broadly refers to any system that establishes a direct connection between the nervous system and an electronic device. These devices may be surgically implanted in the brain, or they may be external. Typical paradigms include allowing a user to control an actuator or keyboard, allowing a device to send sensory data to the user, or bilateral communication involving both sensory data and motor control (i.e. a prosthetic arm that receives motor control input and sends sensory data on pressure or temperature)

Historically, neuroprosthetics have been the primary motive for BCI research. These include artificial limbs for amputees, cochlear implants for the deaf, and deep brain stimulation for individuals suffering from seizures. Already, these devices have improved the lives of millions of people, and their widespread use demonstrates the benefits of achieving direct bilateral communication between the brain and electronic devices. However, the possible applications of the technology extend far beyond healthcare. Even within the realm of neuroprosthetics, we can imagine going beyond just repairing and consider augmenting our abilities beyond normal human levels. Artificial limbs may one day progress to the point where they are, by any objective criterion, superior to their natural counterparts. These limbs may look and feel just like normal limbs, but would be far stronger and more agile. Another example would be artificial eyes that are capable of far higher resolution than human eyes, an ability zoom in or out, and to see in the UV or IR spectrum.

The possibilities get even more interesting when considering cognition and skill formation. A recent study demonstrates that stimulating certain parts of the brain improves memory formation and recall. Other experiments have managed to artificially implant memories in animals. As an example, it may be possible to apply the methods of these studies to improve your ability to quickly learn an instrument. Or perhaps it may be possible to combine various neurostimulators and sensors to develop an “arithmetic processing unit” that can detect when particular areas of the brain associated with mathematical or logical reasoning are activated, and communicates with them to enhance abilities.

It is an extension of this cognitive augmentation that Elon Musk and Neuralink want to pursue. According to Musk and many leading AI theorists, a key barrier in humanity’s intellectual progress relative to AI is the bandwidth problem: although computers and AI are becoming ever faster and more capable of processing and generating knowledge, we face immediate and fundamental limitations in our ability to do the same. We acquire information primarily through our senses and ability to interpret language. In the time it takes your eyes and visual cortex to read and understand a single sentence, a computer can scan through thousands of pages of text. It’s conceivable that in a few decades time, we may have advanced AI running on specialized neuromorphic hardware with incredibly accurate models of how the world works and an ability to analyze and understand millions of documents in minutes, making decisions and inferences that are far beyond human comprehension. In a world increasingly dependent on AI driven decision making, humans may find themselves obsolete in all parts of the business, scientific, and political decision making process. Our brains did not evolve to play a game of chess with trillions of pieces or to comprehend calculated strategies that plan millions of moves ahead. It is a fear of this super-intelligent black box that motivates much of the current work at Neuralink, Kernel, and several other related organizations.

Most of the leading edge research in BCI technology seeks to maximize the information bandwidth, typically through invasive methods that implant electrodes directly into the brain or nerves. However, non invasive methods, specifically electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) are routinely used with considerable success. These involve placing electrodes on the surface of your head (EEG) or skin above muscles (EMG) to measure the cumulative electrical activity underneath. The granularity of this data is low, and it is a far cry from the level of precision and bandwidth that will ultimately be needed to realize the more ambitious goals of BCI research. Nevertheless, EEG/EMG enabled BCIs have achieved incredible feats, like controlling drones, video games, and keyboards with thought, and they provide a small glimpse into the possibilities that further research may unlock. Furthermore, several companies like Cognixion and Neurable are exploring real world applications of EEG based BCIs and have received considerable funding and support with many exciting projects underway.