Neuralink, one of the neurotechnology firms of Elon Musk, recently made a buzz in scientific circles with its revolutionary brain-computer interface technology. Neuralink boasts an innovative technology that would not only revolutionize the way we interact with the world but treat a gamut of medical conditions to enhance human cognition. But, of course, with this invention comes the invasive procedure involved in its implementation, which raises some concerns about the risks and some ethical concerns.
The Invasive Procedure
Neuralink's BCI technology consists of a surgically implanted high-density electrode array (HDEA) into the cerebral cortex, the surface layer of the brain, responsible for processing all sensory information. Invasive operations of this kind bring with them chances of neural tissue damage, infection, and inflammation, which may lead to several impairments—both cognitive, motor, and sensory. We will get into those in more detail later.
The Technical Details
Neuralink's chip, known as the N1 Sensor, uses a patented neural encoding algorithm to read and write neural signals at high fidelity and spatial resolution. The chip is a 1,024-channel HDEA, and each channel can record and stimulate neural activity at a resolution of 1,024 bits per second. It also has a 256-channel neural stimulator that can deliver electrical impulses to targeted populations of neurons.
The N1 Sensor communicates with the brain via a neural feedback loop, whereby the chip detects and decodes the brain activity in real-time and relays the information back to the user as immediate feedback. This closes the feedback loop between the brain and the machine, which allows the user to fully control devices using just his thoughts.
Neural Decoding and Encoding
Neuralink has developed a unique neural decoding algorithm that incorporates a combination of machine learning and signal processing techniques to extract the meaning of neural activity. It identifies specific patterns of neural activity relating to various cognitive states, such as attention, memory recall, and motor control. The chip then interprets this information to produce a digital output that enables a user to control devices and communicate with their thoughts.
A Complicated and Risky Surgery
In Neuralink BCI technology, a high-density electrode array (HDEA) is surgically implanted into the cerebral cortex, which is the outer part of the brain where all the sensory processing is done. The invasive procedure involves risks such as:
Neural tissue damage: The insertion of the implant can lead to the destruction of the surrounding neural tissue, causing irreversible changes in the brain function.
Infection: The wound developed due to surgery may get infected and spread to other parts of the brain, leading to severe complications.
Inflammation: The body's immune response against the implant may lead to chronic inflammation, which can cause tissue damage and lead to device failure.
A Delicate and Unpredictable Process of Implantation
The process of implantation involves drilling a hole in the skull and placing the HDEA into the brain. This is a very delicate and unpredictable process that may result in:
Bleeding and hemorrhage: The bleeding during the procedure may cause brain damage or even death.
Device failure: The implant may fail, leading to the malfunctioning of the device, damage to the neural tissue, or infection.
Neural adaptation and plasticity: The neural networks of the brain may react to the implant in unpredictable ways, leading to changes in brain function and behavior.
A Proprietary and Untested Neural Encoding Algorithm
The Neuralink proprietary neural encoding algorithm used for reading and writing neural signals has not been made publicly available or peer-reviewed, raising concerns about:
Data privacy and security: The algorithm may have vulnerabilities to hacking or exploitation, exposing sensitive neural data.
Unintended consequences: The algorithm could have unintended consequences for brain function and behavior that could be long-term in terms of impairments in cognition and motor skills.
The invasive nature of Neuralink BCI technology opens up many ethical and technical issues. It is, therefore, of the essence that as the technology advances, these concerns be adequately addressed for the safe and responsible development of this innovative technology.
References
Drew, L. (2024, February 2). Elon Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip: What scientists think of first
human trial. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00304-4
Levy, R., & Taylor, M. (2024, May 28). Musk’s Neuralink seeks to enroll three patients in brain
implant study | reuters. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/musks-neuralink-registers-brain-implant-study-us-government-database-2024-05-28/
Musk, E. (2019). An integrated brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels.
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10). https://doi.org/10.2196/16194
Neuralink. (n.d.). Pioneering Brain Computer interfaces. https://neuralink.com/