Recently, Elon Musk unveiled a coin-sized computer chip which is to be implanted in the human brain to create a brain-to-machine interface. The plan was demonstrated on a pig named Gertrude as a demo of the technology’s expected workability. The gadget resembles a Fitbit inserted within the skull with tiny microscopic wires. According to the projections, human trials are likely to begin soon after approval by the FDA. Some of the enduring benefits that will come with this invention will be felt in medicine. Patients with neurological conditions will be equipped to operate their phones and computers remotely with their minds. Moreover, the implanted device could be applied to treat such conditions as dementia, spinal cord injuries, and Parkinson’s disease. Countless people are likely to benefit from Neuralink due to its neurocognitive enhancements, although it could have undesirable social implications.
Design and Functions
It is a micro-chip set to fulfill the goal of building a human-computer interface. In a webcast demo, Elon Musk unveiled the brain transmission plan on Gertrude and two other pigs. The floppy wires are designed to move in the brain without causing damage to the tissues. Besides, it is implanted by a sewing machine instead of a surgeon to minimize risks. The device uses a stiff needle which pokes the threads onto the cortex (Pisarchik et al., 2019). It also has a super-powered chip on its other end, which interprets the activities and electrical signals picked up by the electrodes. Its components are skilfully designed to heighten its operational efficiency.
Goals and Benefits
The device will be used in various spheres of medical practice for the treatment of brain-related illnesses. It will also be used to help people with paraplegia to operate computers and mobile phones. The long-term goals are to build a highly complex human cognitive capacity. Individuals will be able to integrate machine-like features into their brains. As such, they will be superhumans whose power and ability would be unmatched. The integration can destroy the human race and replace it with technically advanced versions of humans. Persons will use the gadget to learn new things, read books, and remember everything (Bocetta, 2019). In Elon’s ideal world’s model, people will store moments relatively more intriguingly and delete them at will. As such, such illnesses as Alzheimer’s disease will be cured in the process of utilization.
Potential Negative Impacts
The idea is exciting in a fictional sense; however, the practicality and influences could be undesirable. The actualization of the technology would require additional extensive research on the area. From a moral perspective, the detrimental effect would be felt in education, religion, and social structures. The ability of the mind to integrate AI into its application would allow students memorize course works. However, it will limit the teacher’s test of the understanding of the concepts studied. Moreover, it is likely to destroy the current social structures as people become more individualistic (Curtis, 2020). Religion will primarily be the hardest hit; it will heighten the belief in science, tripling the growing number of atheists.
Conclusion
Neuralink is likely to cause a technological revolution should it come to pass. The promises that the project holds will transform the world in ways yet fathomable. The brain chips will magnify humans’ critical thinking capacity since anyone who uses it can integrate the machine into themselves. Additionally, various illnesses will be easily treatable, especially for people living with medical conditions, such as blindness. However, moral implications may be detrimental to society. The application of technology in everyday life will transform the world, although some detrimental consequences are associated with it.
References
Bocetta, S. (2019). What are the security implications of Elon Musk’s Neuralink? CSO Online. Web.
Curtis, C. (2019). Implanting AI chips in your mind could cause you to lose yourself, says scientist. The Next Web. Web.
Pisarchik, A. N., Maksimenko, V. A., & Hramov, A. E. (2019). From novel technology to novel applications: Comment on “An integrated brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels” by Elon Musk and Neuralink. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), pp. 1-5. Web.