Brain-computer interfaces allow a person's brain to directly provide output or receive input from the world, sort of like synthetic senses or virtual muscles. BCIs are in their infancy, but important strides are being made thanks in part to AI. In particular, a recent research paper in Nature Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin provides high bandwidth output from brain scans by converting thoughts directly to English sentences.

BCIs would allow the restoration of function lost due to health conditions, from synthetic arms to replacing senses with electronic versions, to even replacing brain functionality such as memory formation. I'm hoping that BCIs will make a significant impact on my own life. In addition, BCIs would grant everybody brand new abilities that were not previously possible, including telepathy and speed learning, perfect memory, and potentially the ability to experience another's memories or senses. This technology will change our experience of what it means to be human.

#bci #humanaugmentation #neurology

Semantic reconstruction of continuous language from non-invasive brain recordings [Nature Neuroscience]
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-023-01304-9.epdf

Synchron backed by Bezos and Gates tests brain-computer interface
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/18/synchron-backed-by-bezos-and-gates-tests-brain-computer-interface.html

Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59616977

0:00 Intro
0:20 Contents
0:29 Part 1: What are brain-computer interfaces?
1:12 Existing BCIs
1:31 Neuralink brain implants
1:51 Synchron noninvasive BCI
2:42 Huthlab study in Nature Neuroscience
3:46 Literal mind reading
4:33 1 word per minute to 100 WPM
5:06 Part 2: New abilities enhanced by BCIs
5:10 Primary focus on health conditions
5:40 New abilities beyond medical restoration
6:14 Physical magnetic sense
6:49 Ability: Electronic memory storage
7:30 Ability: Telepathy (brain to brain communication)
8:08 Ability: Learn information very rapidly
8:42 Human-machine hybrid
9:03 Part 3: Societal implications of BCIs
9:45 Privacy implications
10:11 Legal ramifications for warrants
11:01 Ethical considerations
11:18 Conclusion
11:43 Outro