Rockets, electric cars, batteries, solar energy, and now brain interfaces. After a few tweets and scattered remarks, Elon Musk confirmed the creation of a new company, Neuralink. Its main goal will be the development of a “neural cord”, a link between the human brain and computers to interact with them without the bandwidth and latency problems associated with traditional input devices.
Surfing the web or using computers in the style of ‘Johnny Mnemonic’ is still quite far away, but in the world of technology there are people more than willing to narrow the gap. Of course, the potential applications of such an advanced technology are not limited to leisure or productivity. A brain interface could help treat certain complex neurological conditions, or at least alleviate their effects. Then we enter the field of exoskeletons, with much finer and more precise motor control. The medical profile of brain interfaces is very important, and that is the flank some companies are attacking. The latest to enter the fray is Neuralink, backed by none other than Elon Musk.
Musk has suggested in the past that if we go by the speed of development in artificial intelligence, the human species will be surpassed very quickly. His proposal was a “direct cortical interface”, and from there, several of his tweets led us to think he was preparing something big in neuroscience. The so-called “neural cord”, which would be surgically implanted in the brain, could facilitate the union between biological and artificial intelligence. A much more direct connection, without the bandwidth conflicts caused by keyboards, mice, trackpads, and touch screens. Some portals even mentioned the possibility of “loading and unloading thoughts”, but that is not Neuralink's priority.
Epilepsy and depression are some of the conditions Neuralink will try to combat with its neural technology, both demanding billions of dollars a year in treatments. Obviously, it will not be easy for Musk and the rest of the team. Even if their developments work, the process of placing interfaces in the human brain will need case-by-case studies, and many years of work.
