Neurotech, a field brimming with potential to revolutionize healthcare, is facing an unexpected challenge from some of its most prominent investors. The pursuit of fantastical, transhumanist ideas is threatening to overshadow the very real, life-changing advancements that neurotechnology can bring.
While groundbreaking progress has been made, with brain implants decoding the inner speech of paralysis patients and restoring sight to the visually impaired, the focus of certain investors seems to be elsewhere.
The Distracting Debate
Tech magnates like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, have captured the public's imagination with their visions of brain-computer mergers and telepathic abilities. However, experts in the field argue that this distracts from the more immediate and impactful applications of neurotechnology.
Distorting the Narrative
"It's distorting the debate a lot," says Marcello Ienca, a neuroethics professor. "There is this long-term concern regarding the narratives they use." Michael Hendricks, a neurobiology professor, adds, "Rich people fascinated with these dumb transhumanist ideas are muddying the public's understanding of neurotechnology's potential."
The Silicon Valley Surge
Silicon Valley firms have recognized the potential, with Meta and Apple developing wearable devices that leverage neural data. Merge Labs, co-founded by Altman, is a direct competitor to Musk's Neuralink. These companies are investing heavily in neurotechnology, with Google and Meta also actively researching in this space.
Mainstream Neurotech
Ienca believes the neurotech game is going mainstream, with most big tech companies in the US dedicated to neurotechnology research. These technologies have the potential to treat a wide range of neurological issues, from ALS to Parkinson's, and even paralysis.
The Problem with End Goals
The issue, experts argue, is that the end goal of these investors doesn't always seem to be curing diseases. Musk, for instance, has spoken about uploading memories and downloading them into new bodies or robots. Altman, while more reserved, has blogged about the impending merge between humans and machines, suggesting genetic engineering or plugging an electrode into the brain.
The Reality Check
Hendricks and Ienca emphasize that technologies like brain uploading are a long way off, and may even be impossible in the foreseeable future. "Biological systems are not like computers," Hendricks clarifies.
The Impact of Hype
Some experts worry that these far-fetched narratives could hinder actual health advances. Kristen Mathews, a lawyer specializing in mental privacy, warns that the "sci-fi hype" could lead to fear-driven regulations that hinder helpful technological advancements.
Unesco's Take
Hervé Chneiweiss, a neuroscientist who chaired a panel advising Unesco on global standards for neurotechnology, echoes these concerns. He believes the hype is "completely unrealistic" and distracts from the real questions.
Understanding the Frontier
The neurotechnology frontier can be divided into three distinct categories. The first, medical devices, offers the most powerful advancements, from restoring senses to treating neurodegenerative diseases. These devices are tightly regulated and less advanced than some media reports suggest.
The second category, consumer wearables, presents a regulatory challenge. While there have been concerns about privacy-invasive brain-measuring devices, the evidential robustness of these systems is limited, according to Ienca. Hendricks argues that devices like EEG earphones are unlikely to be effective surveillance tools due to the noisy and unreliable data.
The third category, science-fiction efforts, often involve invasive brain implants for communication or mind-controlled objects. While these applications are unlikely to gain widespread adoption, they could raise surveillance concerns if the technology advanced.
The Brain Uploading Myth
Hendricks attributes the brain uploading idea to people in technology who "think about computers too much." He believes the idea that the self is software that can be run on a computer or robot is flawed. "I don't think many people would take the bet of being uploaded into a computer," he says.
A Call for Focus
As neurotechnology continues to advance, experts urge a refocus on the real-world applications and potential of this field. With so many ways to influence people through existing media, the impact of brain implants on surveillance may be overstated. The true potential lies in treating diseases and improving lives, not in fantastical transhumanist ideas.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about the current state of neurotechnology and the influence of investors' visions? Is the focus on transhumanist ideas a distraction, or a necessary step towards progress? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
