By Theresa Christiansen, Fall 2021.

What if a simple brain implant could improve our vision, effectively treat depression, or allow us to control a computer with our minds? While these ideas have fascinated us for centuries in the form of science fiction or superhero epics, neural engineering is just now beginning to make this paradigm-shifting technology a reality. By understanding and mechanically recreating the complex circuitry of our brains, scientists are on the precipice of complex medical advances and a new kind of digital revolution that could fundamentally alter our humanity.

There is currently a lot of buzz about Elon Musk’s four-year-old neuroscience company, Neuralink, the stated goal of which is to “help people with paralysis to regain control of computers and mobile devices.”[1] In his own statements to the media, Musk himself presents a more outlandish vision, in one instance claiming the implants will create a “universal language” to replace the language barriers of spoken language within ten years.[2] Neuralink’s ambitious proposals have been criticized and celebrated alike by neuroscientists, engineers, and businesspeople, providing an excellent case study for the complex future of neural engineering.

This hotbed of future technology is awash with jargon that both signifies its groundbreaking nature and alientates interested supporters and investors. The Journal of Neural Engineering clarifies that “the main goal of the field is to solve neuroscience problems and to provide rehabilitative solutions for nervous system conditions.”[3] A central piece of technology is the brain-machine interface (BMI). This system is usually composed of a layer of finely-tuned neural sensors that are implanted invasively, with “independent, wireless microscale sensors” that ideally create a new, symbiotic mechanical layer to the brain.[4] 

When qualifying the sci-fi claims of companies like Neuralink, we must first look at what has already been achieved. Neural stimulation through BMIs has helped amputees control robotic limbs and even type words on a computer with their thoughts alone.[5] Current trials focus heavily on medical relief for parapalegic or otherwise physically disabled individuals, showing promising results in the use of electrical stimulation to counter vision loss. For example, researchers at Stanford University have created a BMI that decodes neural activity corresponding to attempted handwriting motions and translates those signals into typed words. In an exciting May 2021 test on a spinal cord injury patient, the BMI performed so well that the patient was able to type at speeds “comparable to typical smartphone typing skills” in healthy individuals.[6] 

While artificial intelligence technology advances rapidly, fully integrating artificial intelligence with the human brain proves to be much more difficult. A scathing critique of Neuralink by the MIT Technology Review argues that the company’s recent demonstration of supposedly new technologies – which included recording active electrical signals from the brains of pigs – have been “seen for decades.”[7] The review argues that Musk’s ambition can only fall flat given “what’s often missing [in brain-machine interfaces] is not 10 times as many electrodes,” but rather a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diseases, like PTSD or depression, that they aim to treat.[7] BMI researchers argue that better energy efficiency, a wireless transmission system, and a larger variety of stimulated neurons for data collection remain key areas for improvement.[5] 

These technological barriers, combined with the focus of companies like Neuralink on what can be sold rather than discovered, have prompted scientists to criticize the motivations of these startups. Musk seems laser-focused on growth and getting to production as soon as possible, commenting in 2018 that “I think we’ll have something interesting to announce in a few months … that’s better than anyone thinks is possible … Best case scenario, we effectively merge with [Artificial Intelligence].”[2] While his confidence speaks to his business savvy, advanced brain-machine interfaces are highly invasive and must be well-tested and implemented for safety. 

When science is turned into a stock market race, corners may be cut and the medical interests of companies like Neuralink may become limited in favor of media clout and profit. Neuralink’s roots in hard science and Elon Musk’s flashy marketing may diverge as the company grows. Neuralink’s other co-founder, Max Hodak, left the project in May, tweeting that he was glad to no longer be working for a company with aims as absurd as “Jurassic Park.”[8]

Beyond issues of commodification and corner-cutting, tampering with the carefully tuned circuits of the human brain pushes the boundaries of ethics and humanity itself. Direct neural implants can be extremely dangerous, and the threat of technology being left in or degrading in the brain is real.[5] Hybridizing our nervous systems with an artificial intelligence provides its own set of questions–who will create and ensure the unbiased nature of technology that interprets our thoughts for us? In becoming transhuman, will we lose some of the fundamental contradictions and emotional complexities that make us unique in the first place? 

Neural engineering may be the next big thing, but it does not exist in a vacuum. We seem to be nearing a tipping point where computing technology and our lives will become virtually inseparable. BMIs have the potential to make external technology internal and turn our singular minds into plural ones. As skeptics, it is our duty to criticize insincere or unethical science. As everyday users of technology, we must be careful of the products we both consume and promote. The brain-computer connection is already here, and medical and technological advances will remain boundless as long as we keep questioning and discovering. 

[1] “Neuralink Home”, Neuralink, Retrieved November 1, 2021, https://neuralink.com/. 

[2] Todd Haselton, “Elon Musk: I’m about to announce a ‘Neuralink’ product that connects your brain to computers”, CNBC, September 11, 2018, Retrieved November 1, 2021, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/07/elon-musk-discusses-neurolink-on-joe-rogan-podcast.html. 

[3] Dominique Durand, “What is Neural Engineering?”, IOP Science, 2006, Retrieved November 1, 2021, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2552/4/4/E01/meta. 

[4] Kevin Stacey,“Researchers take step toward next-generation brain-computer interface system”, Brown University, October 26, 2021, Retrieved November 2, 2021, https://www.brown.edu/news/2021-08-12/neurograins.

[5] MW Slutzky, “Increasing power efficiency”, Nat Biomed Eng 4, 937–93, 2020, Retrieved November 2, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-020-00631-7

[6] FR Willett, DT Avansino, LR Hochberg, JM Henderson, KV Shenoy, “High-performance brain-to-text communication via handwriting”, Nature, May 2021, ;593(7858):249-254. doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03506-2. Epub 2021 May 12. PMID: 33981047; PMCID: PMC8163299.

[7] Antonio Regalado, “Elon Musk’s Neuralink is Neuroscience Theater”, MIT Technology Review, August 30, 2020, Retrieved November 2, 2021, https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/30/1007786/elon-musks-neuralink-demo-update-neuroscience-theater/. 

[8] Max Hodak, “Not jurassic park”, Twitter, May 1, 2021, Retrieved November 1, 2021, https://twitter.com/max_hodak/status/1388622489270374400.