{"id":226554,"date":"2021-04-14T15:13:31","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T12:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/"},"modified":"2021-04-14T15:13:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-14T12:13:31","slug":"why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/","title":{"rendered":"#Why we should be excited \u2013 and worried \u2013 about Neuralink\u2019s brain-computer interface"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6acedbe9e2c48\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6acedbe9e2c48\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#A_perplexing_game_of_Pong\" >A perplexing game of Pong<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#Helping_people_with_brain_injury\" >Helping people with brain injury<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#A_game-changer\" >A game-changer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#Can_Neuralink_be_hacked\" >Can Neuralink be hacked?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#Hasten_slowly\" >Hasten slowly<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface\/#When_will_human_trials_start\" >When will human trials start?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Why we should be excited \u2013 and worried \u2013 about Neuralink\u2019s brain-computer interface<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>Some weeks ago, a nine-year-old macaque monkey called <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/04\/09\/elon-musks-neuralink-shows-video-of-monkey-using-mind-to-play-pong.html\">Pager<\/a> successfully played a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> of Pong with its mind.<\/p>\n<p>While it may sound like <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a> fiction, the demonstration by Elon Musk\u2019s neuro<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> company <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/neuralink.com\/\">Neuralink<\/a> is an example of a brain-machine interface in action (and has been <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com.au\/elon-musk-neuralink-not-first-scientists-monkey-control-computer-mind-2021-4?r=US&amp;IR=T\">done before<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>A coin-sized disc called a \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/singularityhub.com\/2020\/09\/01\/neuralinks-new-brain-implant-the-hype-vs-the-science\/\">Link<\/a>\u201d was implanted by a precision surgical robot into Pager\u2019s brain, connecting thousands of micro threads from the chip to neurons responsible for controlling motion.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Monkey MindPong\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rsCul1sp4hQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/figure>\n<p>Brain-machine interfaces could bring tremendous benefit to humanity. But to enjoy the benefits, we\u2019ll need to manage the risks down to an acceptable level.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_perplexing_game_of_Pong\"><\/span>A perplexing game of Pong<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"align-right zoomable\">\n<p><figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"Monkey eating banana\" width=\"600\" height=\"445\" class=\" lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=445&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=445&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=445&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=559&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=559&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394921\/original\/file-20210414-17-1fjhalx.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=559&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/a><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fneural%2F2021%2F04%2F14%2Fwhy-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface-syndication%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Pager enjoying a banana after a game of Pong. Screenshot via Neuralink on YouTube\" data-title=\"Share Pager enjoying a banana after a game of Pong. Screenshot via Neuralink on YouTube on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Pager enjoying a banana after a game of Pong. Screenshot via Neuralink on YouTube on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Pager enjoying a banana after a game of Pong. Screenshot via Neuralink on <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Pager was first shown how to play <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ponggame.org\/\">Pong<\/a> in the conventional way, using a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rsCul1sp4hQ\">joystick<\/a>. When he made a correct move, he\u2019d receive a sip of banana smoothie. As he played, the Neuralink implant recorded the patterns of electrical activity in his brain. This identified which neurons controlled which movements.<\/p>\n<p>The joystick could then be disconnected, after which Pager played the game using only his mind \u2014 doing so like a boss.<\/p>\n<p>This Neuralink demo built on an earlier one from 2020, which involved Gertrude the Pig. Gertrude had the Link installed and output recorded, but no specific task was assessed.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><em>Read more: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/neuralink-put-a-chip-in-gertrude-the-pigs-brain-it-might-be-useful-one-day-145383\">Neuralink put a chip in Gertrude the pig\u2019s brain. It might be useful one day<\/a><br \/><\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helping_people_with_brain_injury\"><\/span>Helping people with brain injury<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to Neuralink, its technology could help people who are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2019\/7\/16\/20697123\/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-reading-thread-robot\">paralysed<\/a> with spinal or brain injuries, by giving them the ability to control computerized devices with their minds. This would provide paraplegics, quadriplegics and stroke victims the liberating experience of doing things by themselves again.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6712043\/\">Prosthetic<\/a> limbs might also be controlled by signals from the Link chip. And the technology would be able to send signals back, making a prosthetic limb <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2019\/07\/190724144150.htm\">feel<\/a><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/p099z047\">real<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Cochlear implants already do this, converting external acoustic signals into neuronal information, which the brain translates into sound for the wearer to \u201chear\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Neuralink has also claimed its technology could remedy <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/gadgets-and-tech\/news\/elon-musk-brain-chip-neuralink-depression-addiction-a9612931.html\">depression, addiction<\/a>, blindness, deafness and a range of other neurological disorders. This would be done by using the implant to stimulate areas of the brain associated with these conditions.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_game-changer\"><\/span>A game-changer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Brain-machine interfaces could also have <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lications <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diamandis.com\/blog\/topic\/brain-computer-interface\">beyond the therapeutic<\/a>. For a start, they could offer a much faster way of interacting with computers, compared to methods that involve using hands or voice.<\/p>\n<p>A user could type a message at the speed of <em>thought<\/em> and not be limited by thumb dexterity. They\u2019d only have to think the message and the implant could convert it to text. The text could then be played through software that converts it to speech.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps more exciting is a brain-machine interface\u2019s ability to connect <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diamandis.com\/blog\/topic\/brain-computer-interface\">brains to the cloud<\/a> and all its resources. In theory, a person\u2019s own \u201cnative\u201d intelligence could then be augmented on demand by accessing cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI).<\/p>\n<p>Human intelligence could be greatly multiplied by this. Consider for a moment if two or more people wirelessly connected their implants. This would facilitate a high-bandwidth exchange of images and ideas from one to the other.<\/p>\n<p>In doing so they could potentially exchange more information in a few seconds than would take minutes, or hours, to convey verbally.<\/p>\n<p>But some experts remain <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.statnews.com\/2021\/04\/07\/consumer-neurotech-skeptic\/\">skeptical<\/a> about how well the technology will work, once it\u2019s applied to humans for more complex tasks than a game of Pong. Regarding Neuralink, Anna Wexler, a professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>neuroscience is far from understanding how the mind works, much less having the ability to decode it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Neuralink_be_hacked\"><\/span>Can Neuralink be hacked?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At the same time, concerns about such technology\u2019s potential harm continue to occupy brain-machine interface researchers.<\/p>\n<p>Without bulletproof security, it\u2019s possible hackers could access implanted chips and cause a malfunction or misdirection of its actions. The consequences could be fatal for the victim.<\/p>\n<p>Some may worry powerful artificial AI working through a brain-machine interface could overwhelm and take control of the host brain.<\/p>\n<p>The AI could then impose a master-slave relationship and, the next thing you know, humans could become an army of drones. Elon Musk himself is <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/gadgets-and-tech\/news\/elon-musk-artificial-intelligence-ai-singularity-a9640196.html\">on record<\/a> saying artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/alexknapp\/2019\/07\/17\/elon-musk-sees-his-neuralink-merging-your-brain-with-ai\/?sh=414b7bfb4b07\">He says<\/a> humans will need to eventually merge with AI, to remove the \u201cexistential threat\u201d advanced AI could present:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>My assessment about why AI is overlooked by very smart people is that very smart people do not think a computer can ever be as smart as they are. And this is hubris and obviously false.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If you can\u2019t beat em, join em<br \/>Neuralink mission statement<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1281121339584114691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 9, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Musk has famously compared AI research and development with \u201csummoning the demon\u201d. But what can we reasonably make of this statement? It could be interpreted as an attempt to scare the public and, in so doing, pressure governments to legislate strict controls over AI development.<\/p>\n<p>Musk himself has had to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html\">negotiate government<\/a> regulations governing the operations of autonomous and aerial vehicles such as his SpaceX rockets.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hasten_slowly\"><\/span>Hasten slowly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The crucial challenge with any potentially volatile technology is to devote enough time and effort into building safeguards. We\u2019ve managed to do this for a range of pioneering technologies, including atomic energy and genetic engineering.<\/p>\n<p>Autonomous vehicles are a more recent example. While <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov\/Api\/Public\/ViewPublication\/812115\">research has shown<\/a> the vast majority of road accidents are attributed to driver behaviour, there are still situations in which AI controlling a car won\u2019t know what to do and could cause an accident.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><em>Read more:\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/are-autonomous-cars-really-safer-than-human-drivers-90202\">Are autonomous cars really safer than human drivers?<\/a><br \/><\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Years of effort and billions of dollars have gone into making autonomous vehicles safe, but we\u2019re still not quite there. And the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a>ling public won\u2019t be using autonomous cars until the desired safety levels have been reached. The same standards must apply to brain-machine interface technology.<\/p>\n<p>It is possible to devise reliable security to prevent implants from being hacked. Neuralink (and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/rossdawson.com\/futurist\/companies-creating-future\/leading-brain-computer-interface-companies-bci\/\">similar<\/a> companies such as NextMind and Kernel) have every reason to put in this effort. Public perception aside, they would be unlikely to get government approval without it.<\/p>\n<p>Last year the US Food and Drug Administration granted Neuralink <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/beat102103.com\/tech\/fda-gives-approval-for-elon-musks-neuralink-wireless-device\/\">approval<\/a> for \u201cbreakthrough device\u201d testing, in recognition of the technology\u2019s therapeutic potential.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, Neuralink\u2019s implants must be easy to repair, replace and remove in the event of malfunction, or if the wearer wants it removed for any reason. There must also be no harm caused, at any point, to the brain.<\/p>\n<p>While <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asahq.org\/madeforthismoment\/preparing-for-surgery\/procedures\/brain-surgery\/\">brain surgery<\/a> sounds scary, it has been around for several decades and can be done safely.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-center zoomable\">\n<p><figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" class=\" lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=336&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=336&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=336&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/394937\/original\/file-20210414-13-156t4rc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/a><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fneural%2F2021%2F04%2F14%2Fwhy-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface-syndication%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The Link chip. Image via Neuralink\" data-title=\"Share The Link chip. Image via Neuralink on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The Link chip. Image via Neuralink on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The Link chip. Image via Neuralink<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_will_human_trials_start\"><\/span>When will human trials start?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to Musk, Neuralink\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tesmanian.com\/blogs\/tesmanian-blog\/neuralink\">human trials<\/a> are set to begin towards the end of this year. Although details haven\u2019t been released, one would imagine these trials will build on previous progress. Perhaps they will aim to help someone with spinal injuries walk again.<\/p>\n<p>The neuroscience research needed for such a brain-machine interface has been advancing for several decades. What was lacking was an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/singularityhub.com\/2020\/09\/01\/neuralinks-new-brain-implant-the-hype-vs-the-science\/\">engineering solution that solved<\/a> some persistent limitations, such as having a wireless connection to the implant, rather than physically connecting with wires.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Hi <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@elonmusk<\/a>, I&#8217;ve been thinking for a long time how to write this to you \u2013 but I&#8217;ll keep it very simply:<\/p>\n<p>I was in a car accident 20 years ago and have been paralyzed from the shoulders ever since. I&#8217;m always available for clinical studies at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/neuralink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Neuralink<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Please get in touch!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Hamoon Kamai (@hamoon__) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hamoon__\/status\/1355920405534564357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 31, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>On the question of whether Neuralink overstates the potential of its technology, one can look to Musk\u2019s record of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbinsights.com\/research\/report\/elon-musk-companies-disruption\/\">delivering<\/a> results in other enterprises (albeit after <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/technology\/2020\/10\/10\/spacex-falcon-rocket-delay\/\">delays<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The path seems clear for Neuralink\u2019s therapeutic trials to go ahead. More grandiose predictions, however, should stay on the backburner for now.<\/p>\n<p>A human-AI partnership could have a positive future as long as humans remain in control. The best chess player on Earth is not an AI, nor a human. It\u2019s a human-AI team known as a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/centaur-chess-shows-power_b_6383606\">Centaur<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And this principle extends to every field of human endeavor AI is making inroads into.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\" lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/158787\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><em>This article by\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/david-tuffley-13731\">David Tuffley<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics &amp; CyberSecurity, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/griffith-university-828\">Griffith University<\/a>,\u00a0is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/neuralinks-monkey-can-play-pong-with-its-mind-imagine-what-humans-could-do-with-the-same-technology-158787\">original article<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script data-src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;appId=378011798897423&amp;version=v2.6\" id=\"socialSrcFacebook\" type=\"text\/template\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/why-we-should-be-excited-and-worried-about-neuralinks-brain-computer-interface-syndication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Why we should be excited \u2013 and worried \u2013 about Neuralink\u2019s brain-computer interface&#8221; Some weeks ago, a nine-year-old macaque monkey called Pager successfully played a game of Pong with its mind. While it may sound like science fiction, the demonstration by Elon Musk\u2019s neurotechnology company Neuralink is an example of a brain-machine interface in action&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":226555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/neural?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-2021-04-09T103956.509.png&signature=33805665a55d8db3d17de692ac85e5f8","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-226554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/226555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}