A few months ago, we read that Neuralink implanted the first chip into a human brain. Now the exciting question arises: What can this person do with the chip today, and what else is happening in the field of Brain Computing Interfaces?
Reading Data from the Brain with Brain Computing Interfaces
Neuralink has equipped 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who has been paralyzed from the neck down since a diving accident, with a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). This chip not only allows him to perform simple tasks again but also complex activities like playing video games.
How does it work? The Neuralink implant, about the size of a coin, is inserted into the brain and connects with neurons. This connection enables the chip to receive and interpret neural signals. Using this technology, Arbaugh can play games like Mario Kart using only the power of his thoughts. In an impressive video, you can see Arbaugh controlling the character Bowser by merely using his thoughts. This shows the high precision and responsiveness of the BCI, as he can not only steer but also execute actions in the game, such as shooting opponents.
A key component of this technology is training the system using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The chip and connected systems must learn to interpret the user’s individual neural signals. This happens through machine learning, where the user repeatedly performs certain thoughts or actions while the AI recognizes these patterns and adjusts its algorithms accordingly. (See beginning of the video) This ensures that control becomes increasingly precise and efficient, giving Arbaugh the ability to successfully execute not just basic commands but also more complex game actions.
Writing Digital Information into the Brain
Just recently, Tobias saw on LinkedIn the impressive research from CereGate in Munich. Simply put, they reverse the concept and don’t read information like Neuralink, but write information. This creates an artificial sense of balance, or “real knowledge” can be transmitted to the brain in response to questions. In a non-public video, it was demonstrated how a response from ChatGPT was transmitted to a test subject, and they suddenly knew the answer to a question they couldn’t answer before.
The possibilities that arise from these technologies are revolutionary. They show how people with severe physical limitations can experience new forms of interaction and leisure activities. This technology could improve the quality of life for many people in the future and give them more autonomy and freedom.