Are brain implants the future of computing?

Summary

The video explores the fascinating world of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which could revolutionize control of technology through thought. It delves into non-invasive BCIs like the Vario headset, which uses eye-tracking for realistic VR experiences, and invasive BCIs that involve brain implants, as demonstrated by Elon Musk's Neuralink. The script discusses the potential of BCIs in healthcare, space exploration, and the ethical considerations of merging human biology with technology, hinting at a future where the line between virtual and real worlds blurs.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The script discusses the potential of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to revolutionize control over technology with just thoughts, with applications ranging from aiding astronauts to caring for the severely paralyzed.
• 🌌 It mentions the shrinking gap between virtual and real worlds, hinting at a future where the distinction might vanish, much like in the fictional 'Matrix'.
• 🇫🇮 The Finnish startup Vario has developed a headset with advanced eye tracking technology that enhances virtual reality experiences by processing only the part of the image the eye is looking at, reducing lag and increasing realism.
• 👀 The Vario headset's optics and displays aim to replicate the same resolution as the human eye, pushing towards photorealism in virtual simulations.
• 🤖 The script introduces the concept of non-invasive BCIs, which use portable devices to read brain activity and translate it into control signals for computers or machines.
• 🔬 Scientists are working on understanding the brain better to improve BCI technology, recognizing that brain regions do not have clear signals for specific thoughts like 'fried chicken' or 'salad'.
• 🎥 The film 'Ready Player One' is cited as an example of a future where immersive BCIs might allow humanity to escape into a virtual reality called 'Oasis'.
• 👓 MIT technologist Dr. Natalia Cosmina is developing 'Attentive View' glasses, a non-invasive BCI that can pick up brain activity and eye movements, aiming to optimize astronaut performance.
• 🧠 The script highlights the potential of BCIs to not only replace lost functions but also to rehabilitate or restore brain networks, acting as a brain training tool.
• 🐒 Invasive BCIs, which involve surgical implants, are shown in the context of Elon Musk's company Neuralink, where animals have been used to demonstrate the technology's capabilities.
• 🛡️ The script acknowledges the ethical and health risks of invasive BCIs, including the need for surgical implantation and the potential for controversy, as seen with Neuralink's animal testing.
• 🧩 The potential of BCIs to integrate human biology with technology is underscored, with the story of scientist Peter Scott Morgan who underwent pioneering surgeries to extend his life.

Q & A

What is the potential impact of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology on various fields?

BCI technology could revolutionize fields such as space exploration for astronauts and healthcare for the severely paralyzed, providing new ways to interact with virtual and computer-generated worlds and potentially merging the virtual and real worlds.

How does the Vario headset differ from typical VR experiences?

The Vario headset uses advanced eye tracking technology, which means only the part of the image the eye is looking at needs to be processed, resulting in no perceivable lag and a more realistic experience.

What is the significance of photorealism in BCI technology?

Photorealism is one of the first steps towards convincing our brains that computer-generated simulations are real, which is crucial for the development of more immersive and realistic virtual experiences.

What are the two types of BCIs mentioned in the script?

The two types of BCIs are non-invasive BCIs, which can take the form of portable devices using non-invasive ways of reading brain activity, and invasive BCIs, which require surgical implants into the brain.

How do non-invasive BCIs work in controlling computers or machines?

Non-invasive BCIs translate brain signals directly into commands to control computers, video games, robotic arms, or other machines without the need for physical interaction.

What is the role of understanding the brain in improving BCI technology?

Improving the understanding of the brain helps scientists to better interpret brain signals for controlling BCIs, which is essential for the development of more accurate and responsive brain-computer interfaces.

How are BCIs being used in the context of NASA and astronaut performance?

BCIs are being used in a project with NASA to read the brain activity of astronauts on missions to monitor their health and performance, using wireless sensing devices that can be integrated into a pair of glasses.

What is the potential application of BCIs for people suffering from neurogenerative disorders like ALS?

BCIs can provide a means of communication for people with ALS who have lost the ability to communicate, allowing them to answer yes or no questions through brain activity, thus improving their quality of life.

How can using a BCI potentially change the brain's structure and function?

With extensive training and practice, using a BCI can lead to observable changes in both brain activity patterns and brain structures, essentially serving as a brain training tool that can rehabilitate or restore brain networks and pathways.

What are the ethical and health risks associated with invasive BCIs?

Invasive BCIs pose risks such as the need for surgical implantation into the brain, which can lead to ethical concerns and potential health complications, although they offer the most direct and accurate way to read from neural populations.

What is the ultimate goal of companies like Neuralink in the development of BCI technology?

Neuralink aims to improve the lives of humans with impaired abilities through the development of BCI technology, with the long-term vision of merging brains and computers to eliminate the gap between the virtual and real worlds.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Emergence of Mind-Reading Technology

The script introduces the concept of mind-reading technology and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which could revolutionize control over computers and machines just by thought. It discusses the potential applications of this technology in various fields, such as space exploration and healthcare for the paralyzed. The narrative then shifts to the headquarters of Vario, a Finnish startup that has developed a groundbreaking headset using advanced eye-tracking technology to create highly realistic virtual experiences. The headset is designed to process only the parts of the image the eye is looking at, thereby reducing lag and enhancing realism. The technology aims to blur the line between virtual reality and the real world, hinting at a future where the distinction may disappear.

05:01

🚀 Advancing BCIs for Health and Space Exploration

This paragraph delves deeper into the development and application of brain-computer interfaces, highlighting the work of Open BCI and the evolution of BCIs since the 1970s. It explains the two types of BCIs: non-invasive, which can be portable and control various machines, and invasive, which involves surgical implants for a more direct neural interface. The script discusses the importance of understanding brain activity for improving BCIs and the potential for these devices to help patients with neurodegenerative disorders communicate. It also touches on the ethical and health risks associated with invasive BCIs, as well as the potential for brain training and rehabilitation through their use. The narrative includes examples of current research and projects, such as the attentive view glasses developed at MIT in collaboration with NASA, and the controversial animal testing conducted by Elon Musk's company, Neuralink.

10:03

🛠️ The Ethical and Technological Frontiers of BCIs

The final paragraph addresses the ethical considerations and the future potential of brain-computer interfaces, particularly the invasive type that could merge human biology with technology in unprecedented ways. It discusses the risks and the need for careful development, referencing the case of Peter Scott Morgan, who underwent pioneering surgeries to extend his life. The script also mentions the potential for BCIs to change brain activity patterns and structures, serving as a form of brain training. It concludes with a reflection on the brain's complexity and the dual nature of hope and concern as technology progresses, leaving the audience with a sense of the immense possibilities and challenges ahead in the field of BCIs.

Keywords

💡Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

A Brain-Computer Interface, or BCI, is a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. It translates neural signals into commands for the device. In the video, BCIs are central to the theme of controlling technology with the mind, with applications ranging from gaming to medical assistance for those with paralysis or neurogenerative disorders.

💡Cyborg

A cyborg refers to a being that combines organic and biomechatronic body parts. The video mentions the potential of someone becoming the world's first cyborg, indicating the integration of human biology with technology to enhance physical or cognitive abilities, which is a significant aspect of the narrative on merging the virtual and real worlds.

💡Photorealism

Photorealism in the context of the video refers to the quality of computer-generated images that are rendered to look exactly like real-world objects or environments. It is a key aspect of creating convincing virtual simulations, as seen in the example of the Volvo car model, which is transformed into a realistic replica using advanced technology.

💡Eye Tracking Technology

Eye tracking technology is used to monitor and interpret an individual's eye movements. In the video, this technology is crucial for the Vario headset, which processes only the part of the image the eye is looking at, thereby reducing lag and enhancing the realism of the virtual experience.

💡Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system and brain functions. The video discusses the importance of neuroscience in understanding brain activity to improve BCIs, as scientists need to identify specific brain signals that can be translated into commands for controlling computers or machines.

💡Non-Invasive BCI

Non-invasive BCIs are devices that can be worn externally and do not require surgical implantation. They are used to read brain activity through non-invasive means, such as electrodes on the scalp. The video mentions non-invasive BCIs as a current form of technology that allows for controlling computers, video games, or robotic arms.

💡Invasive BCI

In contrast to non-invasive BCIs, invasive BCIs involve surgically implanted electrodes that directly interface with the brain. The video discusses the potential of invasive BCIs to offer a more direct and potentially more accurate method of brain-computer interaction, as seen in the example of the monkey playing Pong.

💡Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. The video mentions that using a BCI can lead to changes in both brain activity patterns and structures, suggesting that BCIs can be used not only for control but also for rehabilitation and restoration of brain functions.

💡Ethical Concerns

Ethical concerns in the video relate to the implications of merging human biology with technology, especially with invasive BCIs. The video references protests against animal testing by Neuralink and the broader ethical considerations of altering the brain's functioning and the potential risks involved.

💡The Matrix

The Matrix, mentioned in the video, is a reference to the 1999 science fiction film where humans live in a simulated reality. It is used metaphorically to illustrate the potential future where the line between virtual and real worlds is blurred, and the integration of technology with the human brain is seamless.

💡Neurolink

Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk that is developing implantable brain–machine interfaces. The video discusses the company's experiments with animals and its controversial nature, highlighting the cutting-edge and sometimes contentious nature of BCI technology development.

Highlights

The concept of mind-reading computers and brain implants that control computers by thought is a fascinating technological advancement with potential applications in various fields.

Vario, a Finnish startup, has developed a groundbreaking headset that enhances virtual reality experiences by using advanced eye-tracking technology.

The Vario headset processes only the part of the image the eye is looking at, providing a realistic experience with no perceivable lag.

The headset's optics and displays are designed to replicate photorealism, making virtual objects appear as they would in the real world.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are devices that allow direct communication between the brain and computers by reading brain signals.

Open BCI provides hardware and software for the Vario headset, enabling the use of brain signals to control virtual interactions.

Non-invasive BCIs can take the form of portable devices that read brain activity and translate it into control signals for various machines.

Improving the understanding of the brain is crucial for enhancing BCI technology and its applications in controlling external objects.

The film 'Ready Player One' depicts a future where humanity escapes the real world through fully immersive virtual reality simulations.

Dr. Natalia Cosmina at MIT is working on new BCI designs, including glasses that can pick up brain activity and eye movements.

Attentive View glasses allow users to answer questions by thinking of the answer, with the computer recording brain waves to understand the response.

BCI technology has the potential to help people with neurogenerative disorders like ALS to communicate despite the loss of physical abilities.

BCIs can also serve as a brain training tool, helping to rehabilitate or restore brain networks and pathways.

Invasive BCIs, such as those being developed by Elon Musk's company Neuralink, involve surgical implants to merge brains and computers more directly.

Invasive BCIs pose ethical and health risks, with the need for surgical implantation and potential long-term consequences.

Despite controversies, invasive BCIs are seen as a promising path to closing the gap between the virtual and real worlds.

The brain remains an enigma, and BCI technology opens new possibilities while also raising concerns about the direct interfacing of the brain.

The Economist's Deputy Editor, Tom Standish, discusses the trajectory of BCI technology and its implications for the future.

Transcripts

imagine computers that can read your

mind

and brain implants that control

computers by thought alone everybody is

fascinated about the idea of potentially

being able to control things just using

their mind this technology could

revolutionize everything from astronauts

in space

to care for the severely paralyzed he'll

save his life by turning himself into

the world's first cyborg the gap between

the virtual and Real Worlds is closing

but how long till headsets and screens

disappear

is not the real world

and the Matrix is no longer fiction

[Music]

this is the headquarters of vario a

startup company based in Finland

it might look like they've created a

typical VR experience but it's not

vario has created a headset which is

changing how people interact with

virtual and computer-generated Worlds by

changing how their brains engage with

them here in this example we have a

Volvo car based on a cad model that was

just transformed into fully

photorealistic accurate replica of the

actual design model

various groundbreaking headset is built

using Advanced Eye tracking technology

this means only the part of the image

the eye is looking at needs to be

processed and with no perceivable lag it

feels realistic

we design Optics and displays that make

it possible to see in the same

resolution as your own IC

this means that whatever we replicate

looks exactly the same as it would look

like in the real world

photorealism is one of the first steps

towards convincing our brains that

compute generated simulations are real

but achieving this will also require

improvements to devices called brain

computer interfaces or bcis

the vario headset uses hardware and

software from a company called open BCI

a BCA is a brain computer interface so

it's essentially a way for the brain to

directly interface with computers by

reading out signals from the brain

[Music]

the term brain computer interface was

coined in the 1970s in California the

aim was to control external objects

using signals from the brain but it's

only within the last 20 years that

researchers have started to pull this

off turn right

and Fire

today there are two kinds of bcis the

first type are called non-invasive and

can take the form of portable devices

using non-invasive ways of reading out

brain activity those signals are

directly translated into ways of

controlling computers whether it's a

video game or it's a robotic arm or any

sort of machine

[Music]

to make computers better at reading

brain signals scientists need to get

better at understanding the brain

you can't put a BCA on think to yourself

do I want to eat you know fried chicken

or a sandwich or a salad for lunch and

then think of it and then order it

online you don't have clear brain

regions for fried chicken versus salad

in the brain

if we know what the brain activity is

that we're looking for in the brain

region then we can use that signal to

control a BCI

[Music]

improving the understanding of the brain

could lead to the type of BCI featured

in the film Ready Player One

set in 2045 it shows much of humanity

Escaping The Real World by using

headsets which fully immerse their

brains in the Oasis a near perfect

virtual reality simulation

getting the design of non-invasive bci's

right is vital to fulfilling their

potential

some find devices like headsets

impractical and bulky

[Music]

but scientists are bringing designs down

to size on top you can see one of the

early prototypes of attention view

glasses which have a sensors on the back

of the ears Dr Natalia cosmina is a

technologist at MIT who is working on a

series of new designs in conjunction

with NASA we have a project with NASA

about optimizing performance of

astronauts

the project is using this technology to

read the brain activity of astronauts on

missions to the International Space

Station in order to monitor their health

and performance so it's a suite of

different variable Wireless

sense in devices that can pick up brain

activity eye movements and those can be

put in the form factor of a pair of

glasses

we're gonna try on a pair of attentive

view glasses so we can pick up the brain

activity using these electrodes the

attentive view glasses allow someone to

answer questions by simply thinking of

the answer

the computer is able to understand their

answer by recording their brain waves so

what Kareem will need to do using only

his brain activity to give an answer to

this question so do you like it here

yes

okay did we get it right I assume yes

it's a technology that offers great

promise on Earth as well as in space for

example for people suffering from

neurogenerative disorders like ALS which

causes a loss in the ability to

communicate what we actually are doing

we are providing them with this basic

education the caregiver can ask a

question to the patient and the patient

can respond yes no

[Music]

these devices also have the potential to

physically alter the brain and change

how it works

try not to think

to think of and just rest your head for

10 seconds okay okay Professor suck Lee

Liu is a neuroscientist who has been

working in this field for over 10 years

over time if you train or practice with

a BCI a lot you can actually see changes

in both the brain activity patterns that

people have and in the brain structures

using a BCA can not only replace or

serve as a compensatory role for

replacing function but it can actually

also help to rehabilitate or restore

brain networks and Pathways and it's

essentially like a like a brain training

sort of tool

one day the world may wake up to the

reality of another kind of brain

computer interface

evasive kind when the Matrix will no

longer be just a Hollywood dream

invasive bcis promise the future merger

of brains and computers through surgical

implants

it's early days for this technology and

so far testing has mostly been done on

animals rather than humans

[Music]

like this monkey pager pager simply

thinks about moving his hand up or down

with electrodes surgically inserted into

his brain he is able to play the game

pong simply by thinking about moving his

hand up or down and sending brain

signals to the computer

the experiment was conducted by Elon

musk's company neurolink

neurolink says its ultimate aim is to

improve the lives of humans with

impaired abilities

however its experiments have proved

controversial protesters lining up

calling for neural links animal testing

labs to be shut down

the company says it has euthanized eight

monkeys but insists it has followed the

law at all times

invasive bcis can also pose ethical and

health risks for humans so they actually

have to cut your skull open and then

implant an electrode and then put the

skull back on

despite this many consider these

implants to be the most promising path

to removing the gap between the virtual

and Real Worlds

the most accurate tend to be the ones

that are implanted in the brain the

upside is that you're reading directly

from neural populations so the cells in

the brain that are actually firing

invasive bcis have the potential to

integrate human biology with technology

in unprecedented ways

and scientists are slowly moving in this

direction

in 2018 scientist Peter Scott Morgan

offered his own body to his profession

he suffered from motor neurone disease

and allowed surgeons to implant various

chips into his body in the hope of

extending his life whatever happens we

will learn from it

and we will do it better the next time

the pioneering operations helped him

live for another four years until his

death in 2022.

the brain remains one of Humanity's

greatest enigmas

technology that melds the brain with

computers opens up new possibilities

highlighting both how powerful the brain

is and how little it is understood while

scientists are a long way from

understanding its Secrets there are

grounds for both hope and concern

it's a very scary thought when you start

looking into into what you could do when

you're directly interfacing the brain

yet at the same time you you can

completely understand that this is a

trajectory we are on

I'm Tom Standish Deputy editor at The

Economist if you'd like to learn more

about this topic click on the link

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