The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is said to have given Neuralink, an Elon Musk-founded brain-computer interface (BCI) business, permission to conduct human trials with its surgically implanted brain device.
Neuralink has indicated that it is not presently taking applications, despite the fact that the specifics of these trials are not yet known. It is important to remember that Neuralink first encountered difficulties when the FDA refused to provide permission for human trials at the beginning of 2022 owing to safety concerns.
The business, however, has solved these issues, which caused the FDA to reverse its mind and permit some restricted testing of their implanted BCI device. In light of this finding, Neuralink may have made strides in resolving safety concerns and is now able to move on with small-scale testing of their novel brain device.
Neuralink’s BCI: Developing Human-Machine Interaction & Medical Treatment
Elon Musk thinks there will be many uses for the brain-computer interface (BCI) created by Neuralink. By providing prospective treatments, it may benefit those who suffer from medical disorders like epilepsy.
Additionally, it could improve the quality of life for those with impairments by allowing them to direct a computer cursor with their eyes or even their thoughts.
As a general-purpose BCI that is open to the public, Musk has stated a bigger objective for the device in the meantime. By enabling direct mental communication between humans and computers, this kind of BCI might improve our talents and allay our fears of being supplanted by technology.
Human Testing and Exploring BCI Applications: Furthering Neuralink’s Vision
Neuralink has thus far tested its products using lab animals like pigs and monkeys. Because of this, the business was the subject of a government inquiry for suspected animal abuse. Neuralink vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and the investigation appears to have ended peacefully. Another inquiry into the movement of hazardous devices is still continuing.
Elon Musk’s idea of human-AI hybrids is becoming closer to reality as testing on humans becomes feasible. The applications of a recreational, surgically implanted BCI are ripe for exploration by developers and businesspeople. We may examine the numerous options and design a world where human potential is maximized together.
Enhanced Smartphone Interaction and Blockchain Validation with BCIs: Unlocking New Possibilities
According to Elon Musk, BCIs might transform how people use smartphones by providing quicker thumb-free control of electronics.
It should be mentioned that current University of Texas research has demonstrated encouraging findings, demonstrating that AI systems comparable to ChatGPT can analyze brain waves to some extent.
Microsoft’s patents lead to yet another fascinating possible use. These patents, which were submitted in 2018 and 2019, propose a wearable « sensor » that might be used for proof-of-work for bitcoin rewards and blockchain mining/validation.
Therefore, it may be feasible to verify proof-of-work using just brain waves using a BCI like Neuralink’s and a system like the one mentioned in the Microsoft patent, opening up interesting prospects for the cryptocurrency and blockchain communities.
