Encoding Thoughts: A New Era with Brain-Computer Interfaces

Brain and computer integration is a technology that enables the human brain to communicate directly with a computer or other external devices. This technology lies at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and computer science, and has the potential to revolutionise human-machine interaction. While the history of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology dates back to the 1970s, significant advancements in recent years have led to groundbreaking progress in this field. How does BCI technology work, in which areas is it used, and what does it promise for the future? In this article, we will explore these questions.

A BCI is a system that directly transfers brain signals to a computer. With the help of electrodes that detect electrical activity in the brain, electrical signals are converted into digital data and processed by a computer. The process detects and interprets electrical signals from specific regions of the brain. BCI systems are categorised into two main types: invasive (electrodes are implanted in the brain) and non-invasive (electrodes are placed on the scalp).

BCI: A Brief History

The roots of BCI technology date back to the 1970s when electroencephalography (EEG) technology, used to record brain activity, made significant strides. Scientists began to gain deeper insights into brain functions by analysing EEG signals. However, the idea of interacting with the outside world using these signals was not yet concrete.

During the 1970s and 1980s, research focused on the potential of EEG signals. Scientists began exploring the possibility of controlling simple devices using these signals. Experiments conducted during this period are considered the first steps in laying the foundation for BCI technology.

In the 1990s, BCI technology advanced further, particularly emphasising its potential to improve the lives of patients with neurological disorders. Systems designed to enable paralysed patients to communicate using their brain signals marked a significant turning point during this period. These developments highlighted the importance of BCI technology in the medical field.

In the late 20th century and early 21st century, rapid advancements in computer science and signal processing significantly accelerated BCI research. More powerful computers and advanced algorithms allowed scientists to analyse EEG signals more accurately and quickly, which also enabled BCI systems to perform more complex tasks. During the same period, the development of technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence enhanced the learning and adaptation capabilities of BCI systems.

Today, BCI technology has potential applications in various fields beyond medicine, including gaming, education, and the military. Researchers continue to work on making brain-computer interfaces more user-friendly, faster, and more reliable. In the future, BCI technology is expected to revolutionise human-machine interaction.

BCI Systems: Components and Functionality

BCI systems use various methods to directly convert brain activity into computer commands. The fundamental operation of these systems involves processing signals from the brain and translating them into meaningful commands.

Signal Sources:

BCI systems record brain signals using different methods. The most common of these is EEG, which measures brain activity with electrodes placed on the scalp. Although EEG is non-invasive, the signal quality is lower compared to other methods. Invasive methods such as electrocorticography (ECoG), which uses electrodes placed on the brain itself, provide higher resolution signals. Other methods used include functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which measures changes in oxygen levels in the brain to indirectly determine neuronal activity.

Signal Processing and Classification:

The raw signals recorded are processed through various steps such as noise reduction, frequency component separation, and feature extraction. These processed signals are then analysed using machine learning algorithms to distinguish signals corresponding to specific commands or actions. For example, the desire to move right can be associated with a characteristic activity pattern occurring in a specific brain region.

Output:

The classified commands are converted into signals that can be understood by computers or other devices. This allows users to control devices like wheelchairs, move prosthetics, or play computer games.

Invasiveness and Resolution:

The level of invasiveness of the methods used in BCI systems is directly related to the quality of the signals obtained. Methods like EEG , which use electrodes placed on the scalp, are less risky but have lower signal quality. Methods like ECoG, which use electrodes placed on the brain’s surface, provide higher resolution signals but require serious surgical intervention.

Challenges and Future:

Despite the rapid development of BCI technology, there are still challenges to be addressed. The weak and noisy nature of brain signals necessitates continuous improvement of signal processing algorithms. It is also crucial to design advanced interfaces that will allow users to interact naturally and intuitively with the system. In the future, BCI technologies are expected to become more widely used and integrated into daily life. This will enable paralysed patients to communicate, control prosthetics, and even experience virtual reality.

Medical Applications of BCI

BCI technology currently shows the most promise in clinical medicine. Companies developing brain chips aim to facilitate the lives of people with disabilities, by using chips implanted in the brain to transform thoughts into mechanical movements and sounds particularly for those with movement and speech impairments. Companies like Neuralink, Paradromics, Motif Neurotech, and Blackrock Neurotech are focused on this, albeit with different approaches; some prefer more superficial chips placed just under the skull, while others work with chips that delve deeper into the brain to obtain more neurological data. Neuralink is also working on robots that will implant BCI chips in humans.

The bandwidth of devices used for converting brain activities into speech or text is a crucial detail for the technological infrastructure, with Paradromics currently leading in this area, although their success with a chip the size of a watch battery in humans is yet to be announced. Another BCI device called Stentrode is designed in the form of a stent that can be used to open blood vessels. Stentrode is placed in the patient’s carotid artery, with the chip’s receiver implanted under the skin in the chest area to receive signals via Bluetooth. This is a new technology used for decoding brain signals with minimal intervention.

Motif Neurotech is testing the technology to treat mental illnesses like depression that do not respond to medications. The company claims that bandwidth is not very important to control or intervene with mood, so it is possible to improve mood by stimulating the correct areas of the brain with a device placed on top of the patient’s head -without any surgical intervention to the brain. “After all, emotions don’t change as fast as words,” says Robinson, the company’s CEO.

Regardless, the ultimate goal for all companies is to develop non-invasive BCI technologies that have significant bandwidth without requiring any surgical intervention.

Non-Medical Applications of BCI

These can be broadly categorised into two main areas. The first category includes applications that aim to enhance, regulate or optimise neuromuscular performance. For example, providing attention-enhancing stimuli when attention deficits are observed in brain signals. Or by detecting levels of stress and fatigue by monitoring heart rate, pulse and other parametres to improve safety in the workplace. The potential to visualise brain activity in real time may surpass current imaging technologies and allow us to obtain more detailed data about brain function in individuals performing different tasks, providing the infrastructure for more efficient working environments. This field, known as neuroergonomics, aims to enhance safety and comfort in smart homes, workplaces and transport vehicles, and to integrate with applications such as the Internet of Things to make everyday life safer, healthier and more comfortable.

The second category focuses on enriching the human experience. BCI-based internet applications, computer games and artistic expressions such as music or painting can go beyond conventional approaches. In fact, gaming and entertainment are predicted to become the main area where BCI technologies will reach the masses outside of the health sector. In recent years, many companies have developed computer games that can only be played with EEG headsets; Neurosky, Emotiv, Uncle Milton, MindGames and Mattel are some of them. In these applications, game progress can depend on the emotional state of the player rather than the performance (immersion, surprise, disappointment at failure, etc.). In a game called Brainball, the only way to move the ball and win the game is to relax mentally; the calmer person wins. This allows people to discover ways of controlling their stress levels. Some game designers have even integrated BCI technology into popular computer game avatars in World of Warcraft to reflect the players’ mental state. While both positive and negative opinions about the societal impact of BCI-based computer games exist, the sector is expected to grow rapidly from an economic perspective, providing sufficient motivation to adapt the technology for such applications.

The ability to visualise brain activity in real time is also expected to open up significant developments in education. A new method called neurofeedback aims to improve mental performance by regulating brain activity. While we are still a long way from seeing concepts such as automated educational programmes and virtual teachers in everyday life, observing how brain activity changes during learning can help us better understand the speed and level of learning, potentially leading to generalised or personalised educational programmes. It can also pave the way for new approaches such as adapting coursework based on brain fatigue, tracking student interest in the subject, and developing new teaching-learning methodologies. In addition, game-based experiments are being conducted to reduce symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Another area of application for BCI is security. Encrypted or biometric security systems are not always successful. A new approach called cognitive biometrics or electrophysiology uses brain signals as a security measure (or password), which is difficult to replicate. It may also be possible for people with disabilities to use such systems. Additionally, if someone forces you to open a door or a safe, the system reading your brain activity can send a covert alert to security forces.

Which Companies Are Working on What?

When discussing BCI technology, one of the first companies that comes to mind is Elon Musk’s Neuralink, renowned not only for aiming to treat diseases and assist those with disabilities but also for its ambition to enhance and expand the capabilities of the human mind. Despite facing criticism for its experiments on chimpanzees, Neuralink is now focused on human trials and has called for volunteers with paralysis. Recently, the company showcased a 29-year-old paralysed patient who can play chess and move a computer cursor using only his thoughts, thanks to their device called Telepathy. Although similar achievements were made by other organisations about 21 years ago, Neuralink’s technology features much smaller, nearly invisible electrodes.

Musk’s efforts straddle the line between science and science fiction, and his announcements will likely spark ongoing discussion. In the meantime, other companies and organisations are also making significant strides in BCI technology. Synchron, supported by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has implanted BCI devices in 10 people and is now seeking larger clinical trials.

National defence and military research have also been key drivers of BCI technology. For 18 years, DARPA (the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) has funded both wearable BCI technologies that require no surgical intervention and implant-based systems similar to Neuralink’s. DARPA’s research spans various applications, including controlling prosthetic limbs with brain activity, restoring the sense of touch, treating neuropsychiatric conditions like depression, and enhancing memory.

In 2017, Facebook entered the BCI field with plans to develop a new product, an optical headset that allows typing without a keyboard. However, the company later abandoned this project in favour of a different approach involving muscle signals and virtual reality with a wrist-worn controller, citing economic concerns.

OpenBCI, an offshoot of OpenAI (now a for-profit entity with a significant stake owned by Microsoft), is another key player. OpenBCI focuses on open-source biosensing and neuroscience tools, developed ethically to protect user rights and mental safety. Their latest product, Galea, is a hardware and software platform that integrates advanced biometric tools with mixed reality. Galea combines tracking eye movements with a multi-modal sensor system, measuring the activities of the heart, muscles, skin, eyes, and brain for both entertainment and scientific purposes. Currently priced at $25,000, it is available to general users.

In the United States, leading academic institutions researching BCI technology include UCLA, MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Brown, and Duke. Many private enterprises and government agencies like DARPA collaborate with these academic institutions. BCI is an interdisciplinary field, requiring expertise in biomedical engineering, materials science, computer engineering, neuroscience, scientific ethics, and philosophy.

Potential Health Risks of Invasive BCI Implantation

BCI technology aims to establish a direct connection between the brain and the external world through implants placed in the nervous system. This invasive process can carry several risks:

Infection risks include serious conditions such as meningitis, brain abscesses, or even blood poisoning (sepsis). To mitigate these risks, using sterile surgical techniques, appropriate antibiotics, and biocompatible implant materials is crucial.

Direct damage to brain tissue may occur either during the surgical procedure or due to the prolonged presence of the implant, potentially affecting brain function. To minimise these risks, precise surgical techniques, advanced imaging methods, and highly biocompatible implant materials are employed.

The body may react to the implant as a foreign object, leading to immune system rejection, inflammation, tissue damage, and loss of implant function. Highly biocompatible materials and immunosuppressive drugs are used to prevent such rejection risks.

Additionally, damage to the brain or nerve fibers can occur during surgery or due to implant displacement, potentially resulting in paralysis or sensory loss. Detailed knowledge of nervous system anatomy and careful attention during the surgical procedure is essential to avoid these outcomes.

In summary, BCI implantation carries serious health risks due to the complex structure of the nervous system. To minimise these risks, meticulous procedures performed by experienced surgeons, advanced medical imaging techniques, and the use of highly biocompatible materials are required.

Potential Risks Associated with Non-invasive BCI Systems

Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces allow communication with the outside world by measuring brain activity without directly interfering with the brain. While this method is generally safer than invasive techniques, it can still carry some risks and may have side effects.

For example, the electrodes used in methods such as EEG may come into contact with the skin, potentially causing allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms like redness, itching, and swelling can occur. This risk can be mitigated by using hypoallergenic materials and carefully assessing the patient’s allergy history.

Prolonged use of the electrodes may lead to discomfort such as headaches. The pressure or electrical activity applied by the electrodes can be a significant factor contributing to headaches. Similarly, the presence of electrodes and the recorded brain activity might negatively impact sleep quality and cause sleep disturbances.

These risks should be carefully evaluated before using non-invasive BCI systems and addressed during the design phase to minimise potential adverse effects.

Ethical and Social Concerns

BCI technology offers ground-breaking possibilities by delving into the human brain to access our most intimate thoughts and emotions. However, this immense potential brings serious ethical concerns.

Violation of Mental Privacy: BCI systems can potentially access an individual’s deepest thoughts and emotions, raising significant risks of violating mental privacy. For instance, brain data could be used in legal proceedings to determine guilt or innocence, which could restrict freedom of thought and be exploited in totalitarian regimes.

Data Leakage and Misuse: Unauthorized access to collected brain data poses risks such as blackmail, manipulation, or even physical harm. For example, a cyber-attacker could potentially capture and misuse a BCI user’s brain data to influence their thoughts or decisions, threatening individual security and creating a sense of societal insecurity.

Data Ownership and Commercial Use: The issue of data ownership is a key ethical debate, with unclear regulations on whether brain data belongs to the individual, the company collecting it, or the state. Commercial entities might profit significantly from this data, such as through targeted advertising based on brain data analysis. This could lead to privacy invasions and manipulation of consumption habits. For instance, if a person’s brain data is transferred to an insurance company without consent, the company might use it to predict health risks and impose higher premiums or deny coverage, raising ethical concerns about discrimination based on genetic information.

In conclusion, while BCI technologies hold significant promise, privacy and data security must be prioritised in their development and application. Establishing a common ethical framework and comprehensive legal regulations at the international level is essential to prevent these technologies from becoming a major threat to humanity.

Access Inequality and Power Imbalance:

Despite its significant potential, BCI technology poses risks of exacerbating societal inequalities. One of the major challenges is the inequality of access to these technologies. Economic status, geographical location, and health conditions greatly influence the ability of individuals to access BCI technologies. While people in wealthy, developed countries may more easily obtain these technologies, those in poorer regions or with disabilities could be excluded, potentially widening existing income disparities and undermining social justice.

Additionally, those who have access to BCI technologies might gain a considerable power advantage over others. For instance, companies could analyse the brain data of their employees to assess performance or even manipulate their thoughts, leading to oppressive working environments and limiting free will. In the political realm, BCI technologies could be used to influence the minds of supporters of particular ideologies, threatening democratic processes.

With the widespread adoption of BCI technologies, a new power balance may emerge in society, potentially deepening social injustices. Therefore, during the development and use of BCI technologies, it is crucial to democratise access to these technologies and establish ethical usage principles. Otherwise, BCI technologies could become tools that inflict deep wounds on society.

Identity, Self, and Social Impacts

Brain-Computer Interfaces raise profound questions about human identity, self-concept, and societal relationships by bridging the gap between the human mental world and technology.

 

Integration with AI and Identity Crisis: The fusion of BCI technologies with artificial intelligence could lead individuals to see themselves as a blend of biological and digital entities. This integration might fundamentally alter one’s sense of identity and self-perception, causing people to identify not only as biological beings but also as digital entities. Such developments could ignite new debates in philosophy, psychology, and sociology about the nature of self and personal identity.

Loss of Individuality and Collective Consciousness: The widespread adoption of BCI technologies might risk diminishing individual thoughts and behaviours, leading to a convergence of ideas. This could foster a collective consciousness, potentially eroding individuality. Individuals may find themselves adopting shared thoughts generated by artificial intelligence rather than maintaining their unique perspectives. This shift could reduce social diversity and contribute to cultural degradation.

Relationships and Social Fabrics: The potential to artificially produce or manipulate emotions such as empathy and love might undermine trust between individuals and weaken social bonds. People might interact with one another through engineered emotions rather than genuine feelings, potentially disrupting fundamental human connections like family, friendship, and romantic relationships.

In summary, while BCI technologies offer tremendous potential, they also present serious ethical concerns. It is crucial to re-evaluate issues related to human identity, free will, social relationships, and ethics in the context of BCI development. Establishing ethical principles to ensure these technologies are used responsibly is essential. Without such safeguards, BCI technologies could pose significant threats to humanity.