The pursuit of merging human and artificial intelligence has long been a topic of fascination, with many experts believing it’s the key to unlocking new levels of human cognition and consciousness. A conversation with Max Hodak, co-founder and CEO of Science Corp., sheds light on the significant advancements being made in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. With nearly 700 companies worldwide working on BCI, including tech giants like Microsoft and Apple, the field is rapidly gaining momentum.
Hodak’s journey into the world of BCI began at a young age, with him starting to program at six and later working under pioneering neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis at Duke. His experience co-founding Neuralink with Elon Musk taught him the importance of innovative engineering, which he now applies at Science Corp. The company’s goal is ambitious: to overcome the limitations of human cognition and potentially reshape human consciousness.
One of the primary criticisms of BCI companies is that they aren’t doing new neuroscience, but rather building upon existing research. However, the innovation lies in the engineering, making devices small enough and low-power enough to be fully implantable without posing an infection risk. Science Corp. is figuring out ways to generate revenue, including developing tools for other researchers and working on a commercial product called Prima.
Prima is a procedure that involves implanting a computer chip smaller than a grain of rice directly into the retina, restoring vision to people with advanced macular degeneration. Clinical trials have shown promising results, with 80% of patients able to read again. The company plans to launch the product next summer, with an estimated cost of $200,000 per procedure. This could make Science Corp. profitable if they manage to get just 50 patients per month.
The next step for Science Corp. is gene therapy, specifically optogenetic gene therapy, which involves making neurons light-sensitive so they can be controlled with light instead of electrodes. The company believes it has figured out what others haven’t, with proteins that are faster and more sensitive. The long-term goal is to grow new brain tissue, which could potentially overcome the limitations of current BCI approaches.
Hodak’s vision for the future is nothing short of revolutionary. He believes that BCI is a longevity-adjacent story, with the ultimate goal of cracking consciousness itself. This could lead to the creation of conscious machines and the ability to merge human consciousness with machines or other humans. The implications are profound, with potential applications in curing diseases and extending human lifespan.
The timeline for these advancements is surprisingly concrete, with Hodak predicting that biohybrid neural interfaces will be available for patients by 2035. This could mark the beginning of a significant shift in the way we approach healthcare and human enhancement. As the technology improves and becomes more ubiquitous, the patient population will expand, and the benefits will become more dramatic.
However, there are also concerns about the economic implications of these advancements. The current healthcare model may break down as BCI technology improves and extends lives, leading to a potential catastrophe. The cost of these technologies could exacerbate existing class divisions, with those who can afford cognitive enhancements having a significant advantage over those who cannot.
As the conversation comes to a close, it’s clear that the future of BCI is both exciting and unsettling. The potential benefits are vast, but the risks and uncertainties are equally significant. Hodak’s vision for a future where humans can merge with machines or other humans raises fundamental questions about what it means to be human. As we move forward, it’s essential to consider the implications of these advancements and ensure that they are developed and implemented in a responsible and equitable manner.
The pursuit of BCI is no longer the stuff of science fiction; it’s a rapidly advancing field that will likely have a profound impact on human society. As we embark on this journey, it’s crucial to listen to experts like Hodak and consider the potential consequences of our actions. The future of human cognition and consciousness is being shaped today, and it’s essential that we approach it with a sense of wonder, caution, and responsibility.
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