What It's Like Using a Brain Implant With ChatGPT

Summary

Synchron's brain-computer interface (BCI) is revolutionizing communication for people with paralysis through a mind-controlled device powered by AI, like Chat GPT. Clinical trial participant Mark, an ALS patient, demonstrates how the BCI allows him to interact with digital devices using only his thoughts. The integration of AI enhances communication speed by predicting responses based on context. Synchron CEO Tom Oxley discusses the potential of this technology to restore natural conversational speeds for those with disabilities, emphasizing the company's commitment to adopting the best AI models for patient needs. The BCI is implanted without open surgery and is expected to cost between $50,000 to $100,000, with Synchron aiming for FDA approval.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The brain implant by Synchron is powered in part by Chat GPT, aiming to assist people with paralysis in communicating through digital devices using their thoughts.
• 🌟 The integration of AI with brain implants is expected to make communication faster by providing sentence options based on context and anticipated responses.
• 🔍 Mark, a pioneering patient, is one of only 10 people globally to have been implanted with Synchron's brain-computer interface (BCI) as part of clinical trials.
• 💡 Synchron's BCI is designed to connect digital devices directly to the brain, allowing users like Mark, who has ALS, to use phones and computers independently despite limited physical capabilities.
• 📈 The addition of AI to the BCI system is seen as a significant advancement, offering users options for parts of sentences with a single click, improving the speed of communication.
• 🤖 Mark has noticed that the AI has improved over time, becoming better at providing options that align with his natural speech patterns, including occasional colloquialisms.
• 🚀 Synchron's CEO, Tom Oxley, mentioned that the integration of Chat GPT only required a software update, with no need to change the hardware or get new implants.
• 🔄 The company is not limited to any specific AI model and will adopt the systems that best serve their patients' needs.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The BCI is implanted near the brain's motor cortex, which controls movement, and interprets thoughts about moving to transmit commands wirelessly to devices.
• 💰 The expected cost for Synchron's BCI is between $50,000 to $100,000, similar to other implanted medical devices like pacemakers.
• 🏥 While no brain-computer interfaces have yet received FDA market approval, Synchron is working towards this goal, which may take several more years.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the brain implant mentioned in the script?

The brain implant is designed to assist people living with paralysis in communicating faster, easier, and more independently through their digital devices using only their thoughts.

Who is Mark, and what is his significance in the context of this brain implant?

Mark is a pioneering patient who has been implanted with Synchron's brain-computer interface (BCI) as part of the company's clinical trials. He is one of only 10 people in the world with this implant and is featured in the demo video.

What is the role of AI in enhancing communication through Synchron's BCI?

AI is integrated to make communication faster by taking in relevant context, such as the last conversation, and anticipating responses. It provides options for parts of sentences, allowing users to fill in text with a single click.

How does the AI in Synchron's BCI improve over time?

The AI learns and adapts to the user's communication style, providing options more in line with what the user might say. Mark noticed that the AI has gotten better at this over time.

What was the impact of the release of Chat GPT 4.0 on Synchron's BCI?

The release of Chat GPT 4.0 opened up new possibilities for Synchron, as it allowed for the integration of this advanced AI model into their BCI with just a software update, without the need for new hardware or implants.

How does Synchron's BCI navigate and interact with the user's digital environment?

The BCI interprets the user's thoughts about moving and transmits these wirelessly to the user's device to take the desired action, such as navigating prompts and selecting the next move.

What is unique about the way Synchron's BCI is implanted?

Synchron's BCI is unique because it is based on pre-existing medical technologies like stents and catheters, allowing it to be inserted into the brain without the need for open brain surgery.

What is the estimated cost of Synchron's BCI?

The expected cost of Synchron's BCI is between $50,000 to $100,000, which is comparable to the cost of other implanted devices like cardiac pacemakers or cochlear implants.

What is the current status of FDA approval for Synchron's BCI?

As of the script's information, there have not been any implantable brain-computer interfaces that have earned market approval from the FDA, and Synchron hopes to change this with their BCI.

What is the motivation behind Mark's involvement with Synchron's BCI, despite his condition?

Mark's motivation is to help others in similar situations by utilizing the technology to regain independence and not have to rely on others for simple tasks like picking up a phone or writing a message.

How does Synchron's CEO, Tom Oxley, view the future of AI integration with BCI?

Tom Oxley sees the integration of AI with BCI as a way to enable users to engage in natural speeds of conversation, bringing those with disabilities or motor impairments back into the conversation using digital means.