Neural implants: Are we playing with fire?

Graphics: TBS

Imagine a future like Cyberpunk 2077 or Blade Runner, where you are controlling devices or playing games just by using your thoughts. Or imagine a paralysed person being able to move his limbs by using technology.

In an era of rapid technological progress, brain implants seem straight out of a sci-fi novel. And today, we already have tiny gadgets lodged in our brains to do things previous generations could only dream of.

Neural implants have the potential and promise needed to disrupt how we relate to technology. But like all new technologies, brain implants have their downsides and more demanding problems, moral questions, and dangers too. 

Its development and deployment raise critical questions about safety, privacy, and the very nature of being human.

What are neural implants?

Neural implants or brain implants, also referred to as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), are devices implanted directly into the brain that enable communication between the brain and external devices. These implants are designed to interpret brain signals, allowing individuals to control machines, computers, or prosthetic limbs through their thoughts alone. 

The goal is to restore lost functions in patients with neurological conditions or injuries and eventually enhance human capabilities beyond current biological limits. 

The technology behind brain implants involves a network of electrodes embedded in the brain. These electrodes capture neural activity, which is then translated into commands that machines or computers can understand.

Medical applications

The primary driver behind brain implant technology is its potential to transform medical treatment, particularly for those suffering from neurological diseases or injuries. 

Patients with conditions such as ALS, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and epilepsy could greatly benefit from brain implants that help restore lost motor functions, reduce tremors, or even predict seizures.

Blackrock Neurotech's recent breakthrough with an ALS patient highlights the profound impact this technology can have. The patient, unable to speak due to the disease, regained the ability to communicate using an implant that captures brain signals and translates them into speech.

Similarly, Synchron's system has allowed another ALS patient to control an Apple Vision Pro headset, opening new doors for patients with severe disabilities to experience the world more freely.

The current situation

For now, brain implants remain an experimental technology in early clinical trials on small groups of patients.  A paralysed man is able to play chess with the help of a chip produced by Neuralink and implanted into his brain. A second patient that has since been able to play video games using his mind only. 

However, the tech remains a long way from being ready for primetime due to continuing regulatory and safety chunky blocks standing in its path.

A growing appetite for brain implants, however, driven by both venture capital and increasing calls from patients with chronic neurological conditions who want to see better treatments. 

For now, Blackrock Neurotech has just raised $200 million to grow its research and development efforts further, and Neuralink is still looking for participants in their clinical trials. 

The potential of neural implants 

The potential applications of brain implants extend far beyond medical use. In the long term, they could be used to enhance human cognition, allowing people to access vast amounts of information directly from the internet or control devices with unparalleled precision. Some envision a future where brain implants allow for communication without speaking or even the ability to share thoughts and memories.

Moreover, brain implants could help restore mobility to paraplegics by allowing them to control robotic limbs or exoskeletons. As the technology develops, the possibilities become increasingly expansive, with some proponents suggesting that brain implants could lead to a new era of human evolution, merging biology with artificial intelligence.

Who is developing brain implants?

A number of companies are taking different approaches to developing and refining this technology. Neuralink, backed by Elon Musk, is perhaps the most well-known, with its mission to merge the human brain with artificial intelligence. Neuralink aims to treat a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries, by allowing patients to control devices with their thoughts.

Another major player is Blackrock Neurotech, a Utah-based startup focused on creating brain implants that restore lost abilities in patients with diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Blackrock's implant, featuring hundreds of electrodes, allows patients to communicate, even after losing their ability to speak.

Synchron, another competitor in the field, uses a less invasive approach, deploying its implant through the jugular vein rather than directly into the brain tissue. This makes the procedure potentially safer and more scalable for widespread use.

Risks and challenges

However, these optimistic visions are tempered by significant risks. Brain surgery, no matter how advanced, always carries inherent risks, including infection, brain damage, and other complications. Moreover, the long-term effects of having foreign devices embedded in the brain remain unknown.

A major challenge is ensuring brain implants remain reliable over time. For instance, Neuralink has faced issues with electrode retraction, where implanted electrodes lose connection, causing data loss. As the technology advances, the focus will be on ensuring the safety and longevity of these devices.

The neuroethics debate

Beyond the technical challenges, brain implants raise profound ethical questions. Neuroethics is an emerging field that explores the moral implications of altering the brain with technology. Some key concerns include the potential for brain implants to be hacked leading to breaches of privacy.

Moreover, the enhancement of human abilities through brain implants could lead to new forms of inequality, with only the wealthy able to afford such technology.

As companies like Neuralink, Blackrock Neurotech, and Synchron push the boundaries of what is possible, society must grapple with the implications of this powerful technology. 

Balancing innovation with safety, privacy, and equity will be crucial as we move into a future where the lines between man and machine blur.