The Reality of Mind Control
In a world dominated by artificial intelligence, a life sans computers appears unimaginable. The technology has infiltrated every industry, ranging from transportation to healthcare. The 2010’s were the dawn of a new era of innovation as big data, social media, and advanced cellular networks proliferated the globe. The steady trend of heightened computer integration became apparent. These multifunctional smart devices have since become increasingly receptive and portable, enabling individuals to touch an unseen level of accessibility. However, in 2017, this upwards trend in technology shocked millions as the discovery of computers entering the brain came into fruition.
A Vision for the Future
Neuroscientists often claim the brain’s behaviour to be an everlasting enigma. Despite significant advances in neuroscience, there is still much unknown. Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are systems that have undergone extensive research since the 1950’s. However, their progress was limited as the results required an open-brain surgery, introducing several complications, including infection and weakened signal strength. Alternatively, scientists could use BCI’s outside the skull if they were willing to sacrifice precision. Elon Musk’s Neuralink and Synchron’s Stentrode were both launched in 2016, revolutionizing the BCI field as they worked to provide therapeutic applications while bypassing the aforementioned issues. Both start-ups aimed to restore function and communicative ability to individuals with neurological disorders or paralysis. The Neuralink is an implant that would be inserted by a robotic system in order to avoid blood vessels. On the other hand, the Stentrode would be inserted into the brain via the jugular vein, avoiding the need for open brain surgery. In 2021, Synchron became the first company to receive F.D.A. approval for clinical trials on an implantable brain-computer interface in humans.
The Mind-Reading Technology Explained
Your brain is made up of billions of neurons, which communicate and transmit information; this reaction develops an electric field. The Neuralink chip is placed near neurons and contains electrodes that can record these reactions. It can then decode the information to understand what we are thinking, allowing us to communicate with computers without actually speaking. This technology can enable millions of paraplegics and disabled individuals to interact with smart devices and eventually communicate through them.
Playing with Fire
Despite their benefits, these advanced brain-computer interfaces introduce some pressing issues. The most obvious would be their intended use versus actual use. Thomas Oxley, the CEO of Synchron, believes that brain-computer interfaces will eventually allow people to express emotions and ideas beyond the limitations of their body; the capacity of the human brain would be magnified. Human interaction, as we know it, may soon have a different appearance. One where interfaces are used to improve memory, enhance computational skills, and convey emotions to others without thinking. The technology suggests a potential future where an individual's natural abilities are enhanced rather than simply restored. The apparent symbiosis of humanity and technology is a predictable step in societal progression. However, this factor becomes an ethical dilemma when BCIs transition from a therapeutic product to a consumer good. If these interfaces became a customary tool used to grant people with new skills, its high costs would pose a problem. The access to these BCIs within developed versus developing countries would greatly differ. Similarly, there would be an increased divide between economic and social classes within each country due to the levels of affordability. This separation would compound existing societal inequities and create a scenario where some groups of individuals fail to progress at the same rate as others.
The Political Pitfall
It is no secret that social media plays a large role in politics. For the first time in history, ideas can be exchanged from every corner of the world within seconds. Mass media has altered politicians’ approach to communicating with the public and many argue that social platforms drive political polarization. Many governments and federal agencies routinely monitor these passages in order to gauge public perception and assist in investigations. It is also no surprise that certain governments use technology as a method of control. Russia employs strict censorship measures, recently blocking access to Facebook and news outlets in order to control the narrative of its tensions with Ukraine. Several authoritarian regimes use technology as methods of oppression rather than tools of expression and free speech. As brain-computer interfaces continue to progress, the opportunity to decode an individual’s thoughts and biometric data also increases. In a worst-case scenario, these neural interfaces could be used as a method of surveillance for political dissent, ultimately diminishing individuality.
An additional issue lies in the adverse effect of neural implants. These implants can reportedly cause shifts in a patient’s behaviour, such as blurred sense of self; the translation from intention to action is a complicated endeavour when dealing with interfaces. In a hypothetical scenario where an individual committed a crime and blamed it on their neural implant, how would the legal system address this? As such, the need for strict regulation on neurotechnology is paramount.
An international declaration that bolsters people’s right to be educated on the effects of neural implants would be an important step in this transition. Therefore, consent forms should outline both the physical and emotional risks involved in the insertion of a neural device. Moreover, adding clauses to international treaties that protect rights related to BCI’s would be an essential step to define forbidden actions.
Into the Looking Glass
It is only logical that the upwards trend in technological integration will continue. As society progresses to an increasingly digitized environment, the changes will become apparent. If advanced brain-computer interfaces were to fulfill their promises, they would revolutionize the healthcare industry and provide a higher standard of living for millions of paraplegics. However, if these interfaces transcend the medical field and become enhancement tools, there are a plethora of implications that must be discussed. Like any piece of technology, the ultimate power lies in the hands of humans. As for now, we’re going along for the ride.