The world of tech has long been captivated by the enigmatic innovator Elon Musk and his ventures. Perhaps his most audacious project yet is Neuralink, a company that seeks to merge human consciousness with artificial intelligence. As I was researching Neuralink it sometimes felt more like the plot to a horror film rather than a groundbreaking technological advance, but I’ll leave it to you to make up your own mind…..
Neuralink, is an undertaking in the field of neurotechnology, aimed at developing sophisticated brain–machine interfaces (BMIs). Its fundamental objective centres on human advancement, envisaging a future where humans can co-exist and evolve alongside high-functioning artificial intelligence. This revolutionary BMI uses implantable devices to create a seamless interaction between the human brain and technology. As ambitious as it may sound, Neuralink's quest doesn't stop at simply merging man and machine. The technology is also designed to be instrumental in ensuring the survival of humanity in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, serving as a solution for a possible intelligence gap between humans and advanced AI systems. Therefore, Neuralink is Musk’s answer to the increasing dominance of AI, a tool designed to level the playing field, ensuring human intelligence is not left in the dust.
So far, so terrifying, right?! Wait until you hear how it works…..
Neuralink's interface operates on ultra-thin threads, each significantly slimmer than a strand of human hair, which are carefully implanted into the brain. These threads carry a multitude of electrodes capable of closely tracking the activity of neurons, the brain's nerve cells. To implant these intricate threads without causing damage, Neuralink has developed a state-of-the-art robotic system able to skilfully navigate the brain's delicate structure. Once securely in place, the threads communicate with a wearable device known as the Link. This device is strategically positioned behind the ear where it can receive, process, stimulate, and transmit the neural signals detected by the implanted threads. Essentially, it converts the language of the brain into a digital format, and conversely, translates digital input into a form the brain can understand.
At this point in my research, I was ready to throw it all in, move to a remote highland bothy and live off grid, but there are some positives……
The possibilities for implementing Neuralink are diverse and potentially revolutionary. In its early stages, Neuralink's goal is to address and alleviate various neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and several mental health disorders. With direct access to the brain, treatments could be far more precise than existing methods.
Looking beyond the immediate medical applications, Musk envisions Neuralink as a tool to enhance human cognitive abilities. Imagine controlling gadgets with just your thoughts, boosting memory capabilities, or downloading skills straight into your brain. Furthermore, the technology could allow for a new form of communication, which Musk has coined as 'consensual telepathy' – back to sweaty palms for me!!
The journey towards integrating Neuralink into society isn't without significant hurdles and moral considerations. There is a tangible risk associated with the surgical process of implanting micro-devices into the human brain, with possible dreadful consequences. Let’s not forget between from 2018 to 2022, the company’s experiments had allegedly killed over 1,000 animals, including sheep, pigs, and monkeys.
Musk claimed on September 2023 that “no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant,” but an investigation by WIRED found that numerous animals had been euthanized after suffering a nasty array of complications, including “bloody diarrhoea, partial paralysis, and cerebral edema.”
But it's not only the physical aspect that poses challenges (and freak me out!). The moral and societal implications are equally problematic. The introduction of such a technology could potentially widen the gap between the rich and poor, creating an enhanced super-class of humans. The risk of misuse and exploitation of the technology for malicious purposes can't be overlooked and there's also the question of how this would change our perception of privacy and individual identity.
The future of Neuralink therefore depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also on successfully navigating these moral complexities.
The jury is still out for me, but I’m still trying to get my head around the internet tbf. Human guinea pigs have already started on Neuralink, so I guess we wait for the Cyborg revolution or the zombie apocalypse?! 😉
