In a groundbreaking fusion of man and machine, Noland Arbaugh, Neuralink’s first participant, is ushering in a new era of human potential, where the power of thought transcends the limitations of flesh. This power of thought emerges via a brain-computer interface (BCI)1, which interprets brain signals for intended movements and converts them into computer commands.
Paralyzed since 2016, Arbaugh’s journey mirrors that of Neuralink itself, founded the same year by Elon Musk. Now, through the aptly named ‘Telepathy’ device, Arbaugh commands computers with neural impulses, transforming intention into digital action with a nearly seamless fluidity.
While Neuralink’s quest for its next patient continues and long-term outcomes remain uncharted, the implications are staggering. As the line between human cognition and artificial intelligence blurs, we stand on the precipice of a technological revolution that promises to redefine the very essence of human capability.
Beyond medical breakthroughs, BCIs are poised to revolutionize an unexpected area: competitive sports. As humanity’s innate drive for competition meets cutting-edge neurotechnology, we’re on the brink of witnessing a new class of cyber-athletes. With BCI adoption projected to skyrocket into the millions within the next decade, experts predict the emergence of the first BCI-powered competitive events as early as 2035. This fusion of mind and machine in sport echoes the transformative trajectories of past innovations, from the advent of performance-enhancing gear to the rise of esports. As the line between human ability and technological augmentation blurs, we stand at the threshold of a new era in competitive human achievement.
understanding BCIs
A BCI enables direct communication between the brain and external devices. Currently, it’s an implant, but noninvasive versions of BCIs could emerge for people with neurological conditions or physical impairments, such as stroke-related disabilities or severe epilepsy. The rapid advancements in neuroscience and technology, particularly the work being done by companies like Neuralink, are inspiring. The potential to transform lives through BCIs, especially for those with severe disabilities, is immense.
potential BCI candidates
Patients likely to qualify for a brain-computer interface include those with severe neurological or physical impairments, such as spinal cord injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke-related disabilities, severe epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and major depressive disorder (MDD). Globally, there are approximately 250,000 to 500,000 new spinal cord injury cases annually, 450,000 individuals with ALS, 15 million stroke incidents, 50 million people with epilepsy, over 10 million with Parkinson’s disease, and 264 million suffering from depression.
Considering these groups, the potential number of individuals who could benefit from BCIs ranges from millions to over 300 million worldwide. As BCI technology advances, accessibility and applications are expected to expand, offering new hope and capabilities to these populations.
Many of the aforementioned potential patients will likely only consider a BCI if it’s noninvasive as brain surgery is risky, expensive, and painful.
the neuroethical maze
Privacy concerns loom large in a world where thoughts could potentially be accessed, stored, and manipulated. To address these issues, a new frontier of neuroethics is taking shape.
Stringent regulations and guidelines are being developed to safeguard privacy, ensure informed consent, and fortify data security. But this is just the beginning. Independent oversight bodies, comprised of diverse experts from neuroscience, ethics, law, and technology, will be crucial in maintaining the delicate balance between innovation and protection.
The landscape is further complicated by the emergence of noninvasive BCI options. Companies like Synchron with its Synchron’s Stentrode and Neurable are pioneering technologies that bypass the need for brain surgery, potentially accelerating adoption while raising new questions about accessibility and equity.
Clinical trials, such as Synchron’s COMMAND trial, are paving the way for FDA approvals, bringing these technologies closer to mainstream use. However, significant hurdles remain. Ensuring high data accuracy, overcoming the technical limitations of noninvasive methods, and addressing long-term safety concerns are at the forefront of ongoing research.
As we push the boundaries of what’s possible, the dialogue between technologists, ethicists, and policymakers must be continuous and dynamic. The future of BCIs isn’t just about technological advancement—it’s about crafting a framework that allows us to harness the power of our minds while preserving the “essence of our humanity.”
historical perspective on technology and competition
The time between the invention of a technology and its first competition varies widely, depending on the nature of the technology and its development and adoption processes. For instance, the Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight in 1903, and just six years later, the first major air race, the Gordon Bennett Aviation Trophy, took place. In the case of telephones, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876, and the first telephone competition, the International Telephone and Telegraph Exhibition, followed just five years later in 1881.
In contrast, the development of computers saw a more extended gap. The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was completed in 1945, but it wasn’t until 1970 that the first computer programming competition, the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, was held, marking a 25-year interval. Robotics experienced an even longer period between invention and competition, with the first programmable robot, Unimate, created in 1954, and the first robotics competition, RoboCup, occurring in 1997, a span of 43 years.
modern technology and shorter timelines
For more modern technologies, like drones, the timeline shortens. The modern quadcopter design emerged in the early 2000s, and the first Drone Racing League competition happened around 2015, roughly 10-15 years later. The automobile had a relatively short gap, with Karl Benz’s first car invented in 1886 and the first motor race, the Paris-Rouen race, occurring in 1894, just eight years later.
Video games, first created with “Tennis for Two” in 1958, saw their first competition with Spacewar! at Stanford University in 1972, a 14-year gap. And lastly, with space travel, the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin was in 1961, and the Ansari X Prize for private space travel was awarded in 2004, a span of 43 years. These examples highlight the diverse timelines for different technologies, influenced by factors such as technological advancements, societal interest, and the establishment of relevant infrastructure, and organizations.
the dawn of the neuro-competition revolution
In the future, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) will revolutionize our daily lives, not only by treating mood disorders and enhancing cognitive functions but also by offering new forms of entertainment.
Envision a world where neural adjustments can precisely manage depression or anxiety, where memory and learning capabilities are amplified at will, and where thoughts seamlessly translate into immersive virtual experiences. It’s a prevelant topics in science fiction and is likely an impending reality.
Competitions will likely emerge, showcasing feats of mental endurance, creativity, and even collaborative problem-solving in virtual environments, pushing the boundaries of what the human mind can achieve when seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge technology.
The first BCI competition will likely involve a blend of mental agility and creative problem-solving. Imagine a virtual reality esports tournament where participants use BCIs to control their avatars and interact with the game environment purely through thought. Contestants could compete in complex puzzle-solving challenges, strategic battle scenarios, or creative design tasks, showcasing their mental speed, precision, and innovative thinking. This type of competition would not only highlight the advanced capabilities of BCIs but also captivate audiences by demonstrating the cognitive future; seamless integration of human intellect and technology.
Will future generations look back on us as the last of ‘pure’ humanity, or as the pioneers who dared to dream beyond our biological limitations? The age of the transhuman is upon us, and BCIs are our first true step into this new era of existence.
- Nathan Copeland has had a BCI for over 9 years and on X calls himself “#1 BCI guinea pig!” ↩︎
unpublished alpha 