Research assistant Kevin Real wears an EEG net for detecting brain activity which is hooked up to a monitor at the University of Nebraska's Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior in Lincoln, May 31, 2013 (AP)

The project of linking up human brains to computers is slowly materializing through different initiatives in the tech and medicine spheres to converge neuroscience with technology, a report by the AFP shows.

Over the decade leading to 2020, investors channeled more than $30 billion into neurotechnology, according to UNESCO. This investment momentum has persisted, driven in part by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), which aids researchers in interpreting data retrieved from brain implants.

Neurotech medicine

Elon Musk's Neuralink gained permission in May to conduct human testing of its brain implants, contributing to a significant funding injection of $280 million.

Similarly, Synchron, a company that garnered $75 million this year with support from notable figures like Microsoft's Bill Gates and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, also received authorization from US authorities in 2021 to test its implant, which has been deployed in nine individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the motor neuron disease that physicist Stephen Hawking battled. This implant empowers patients to engage in messaging and online browsing through eye movements and thoughts, all without invasive surgery.

Dr. David Putrino, who oversaw the medical trial at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, highlighted the initial objectives of ensuring implant safety and long-term brain monitoring. On these fronts, the trial has achieved success, setting the stage for broader implementation.

Tom Oxley, founder of Synchron, contends that the technology, known as brain-computer interface (BCI), has reached a crucial juncture. He emphasizes the need for accessibility, aiming to bring these implants to a wider population.

Challenges remain, particularly concerning the invasiveness of certain implants that yield the most potent results. Prof. Michael Platt of the University of Pennsylvania explains that the brain's immune response can hinder these devices, compromising their effectiveness over time.

The prospect of telepathy

While traditional implant-driven research advances, unconventional ideas also surface. Some scientists, like those at the University of Texas at Austin, explore brain scanning techniques and AI modeling to interpret human thoughts.

Elon Musk's vision extends beyond medical use to telepathy and memory storage, envisioning a future where humans can preserve and replay memories or even exist beyond physical bodies. His ambitious goals reflect an ongoing dialogue about the intersection of human augmentation and technology, a discussion that could shape the course of humanity's interaction with rapidly advancing AI.