What If a Computer Chip Is Implanted in the Human Brain? [Im Juhyung's Tech Talk]

US Neuralink Reveals Pig with Computer Chip Implanted in Brain
First Step in Brain-Computer Communication Technology
Great Potential in Life Sciences and ICT
Technical Challenges and Ethical Issues Must Be Overcome

Expected image of a brain-implant computer chip proposed by the U.S. biotechnology startup Neuralink. / Photo by Neuralink

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Artificial intelligence (AI) has long become a part of our daily lives. Not only governments and companies, but even the smartphones we use now come equipped with AI assistant functions by default. But what if AI goes beyond coexisting with humans and actually cohabitates inside the human brain? This would involve implanting a tiny computer chip into a person's brain and controlling it electrically.

Although this scenario may seem like something out of a science fiction novel or movie, it is actually a field of science that has been researched for a long time. Known as Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, researchers affiliated with U.S. government institutions and universities have been studying ways for our brains and electronic chips to "communicate" since the 1960s.

BCI has recently shown some progress. Neuralink, a startup founded by American entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2017, revealed a pig implanted with a computer chip via a YouTube live stream on August 28 (local time).

The pig's brain was implanted with Neuralink's chip called "Link 0.9." This chip collects the pig's brainwave signals and can wirelessly transmit this information to another computer. This is a real-world implementation of BCI, which until now existed only in theory.

During the broadcast, CEO Musk stated, "Currently, information transmission is one-way from the pig to the computer, but in the future, we aim to enable two-way communication," adding, "We also expect to see pigs accurately moving their legs on a treadmill based on data input into the implanted chip."

An experimental pig unveiled by Neuralink last August. The 'Link 0.9' computer chip developed by Neuralink was implanted in the brain. / Photo by YouTube capture

What could be possible if two-way communication between computers and the human brain is achieved? It could be applied across numerous industries such as life sciences and information and communication technology.

For example, it could restore paralyzed bodies by using electronic chips to emit electrical signals in place of damaged nerves. It would also be possible to finely control robotic prosthetic limbs and artificial muscles as if they were original parts of the body.

In fact, CEO Musk said in an interview with a U.S. media outlet last August, "We want to conduct clinical trials of human computer chip implants on patients with nerve damage by the end of this year," and added, "We will implant robotic joints in people with partial paralysis so they can control them just by thinking."

Moreover, it will likely become easier to operate various functions previously executed using electronic devices such as smartphones. For instance, one could search encyclopedia information or stream music services directly with their brain.

As the technology advances further, it is expected to be possible to expand human cognitive and memory abilities by directly connecting vast computer data to the brain. This would enhance human intelligence itself, effectively creating a kind of superhuman.

Elon Musk, CEO, standing next to Neuralink's chip surgery machine. / Photo by Neuralink

However, there is still a long way to go before BCI becomes commercially available. First, implanting artificial devices into the human brain carries life-threatening risks. Especially with Neuralink’s wireless implant method, multiple electrodes must be inserted into the brain, and if there is a problem with the device requiring removal, it could be extremely dangerous.

But the biggest challenge is enabling accurate communication between the brain and the computer. For a computer to correctly interpret signals sent by the brain, which is a bodily organ, expertise is required not only in computer algorithms but also in neuroscience. However, modern neuroscience has only uncovered about 10% of the human brain so far.

Ethical issues may also arise. Some U.S. companies faced fierce criticism last year after implanting tiny chips under employees’ skin to monitor biometric information. In response to the controversy, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill in January prohibiting companies from forcing electronic chip implants on workers as a condition of employment.

In such circumstances, if BCI becomes commercialized, companies would gain even more detailed control over workers. This is why voices are calling for social considerations such as safety regulations to take precedence over rushing to adopt unverified technology.