This post is also available in Dutch.
Imagine being a mother of two. You’ve been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder that will eventually leave you paralyzed from the neck down. By that time, you will have to ask someone else: “Could you please hold that chocolate bar to my mouth? I’d like to take a bite.”
Then, a scientist visits who believes you will be able to pick up and eat that chocolate bar all by yourself, using only the power of your brain.
This scenario became a reality when researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a device called the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), that allowed this paralyzed mother to control a robotic hand with her thoughts, restoring her autonomy. Other BCI applications allow patients to control wheelchairs and to walk again with robotic suits. At the Donders Institute, BCIs allowed silent patients to communicate again.
The brain’s complex power
Consider the vast amount of information being processed in your brain at this moment: seeing, recognizing and interpreting this article while navigating through a busy workday. Each of these tasks generates brain waves — electrical signals spawned by brain cells. These signals can be captured in various ways, for instance with electrodes placed on the scalp or surgically implanted into the brain. When developing a BCI, we use algorithms that are able to decode these brain signals into useful data.
Unlocking the mind
Signals from the brain cells that control hand movement appear relatively easy to understand, as certain cells give a strong signal when the hand moves into a specific direction. In 2004, researchers from University of Pittsburgh developed algorithms to interpret the brain signals associated with imagined hand movements. With this BCI, a paralyzed patient could control a mouse cursor . Developments in BCI technology are advancing rapidly. For example, while BCIs could initially be used to control computer games like Pong and Tetris, today players are able to fully control their character in World of Warcraft or Elden Ring using a BCI headset.
The next frontier
BCIs are used to train the brain after brain damage and to treat epilepsy. In the future, this may include treating Parkinson’s and dementia or even the enhancement of cognitive functions in healthy people. They could also be used to control drones or smart devices at home. And perhaps, one day, we will even be able to communicate our thoughts over the internet.
Protect our beautifully unique minds
However, the development of technology as close and personal as a BCI raises significant ethical considerations. One patient, Rita Leggett, faced a legal battle over her BCI brain implant when the company of the implant went bankrupt. The court ruled that the implant had to be explanted. This raises the question of who truly owns the technology. There are many more questions that still need answers. For instance, if a BCI-controlled wheelchair suddenly turns and rolls down the stairs: was it because of the user’s thoughts, or did the algorithm misinterpret their intentions? Another pressing concern is privacy: what happens when companies can read our thoughts? These dilemmas highlight the need for careful consideration while developing BCIs. Open-source projects like OpenBCI can help promote transparency and ethical practices.
In the meantime, international ethical and legal guidelines have to be put in place to facilitate the safe and responsible use of this technology when they become commercially available in the coming years. Extensive collaboration between multiple disciplines is necessary, which is why a cross-European Master’s program is being developed to train the professionals of the future that will be involved in this process.
True strength lies within
The possibilities of BCIs seem limitless. They hold the potential not only to restore lost abilities but also to enrich our daily lives. Let’s commit to innovation that benefits humanity and upholds our values. Now that we have unlocked the power of our minds, it invites us to dream big and envision a future where we can create a more connected, vibrant, and free world.
Credits
Author: Judith Koene
Edits & Translation: Lucas Geelen
Photo by Ecliptic Graphic on Unsplash
