When science fiction comes into reality, what surprises can new brain-computer interface technologies bring to life?

Academia is frequently disclosing research progress on new brain-computer interface technologies, while the business community is busy financing and promoting the industrialization of this technology, which has become a hot topic in 2023. At the end of May this year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that it would regard brain-computer interfaces as an important direction for cultivating future industrial development, strengthen the exploration of brain-computer interface application scenarios, and accelerate the development of the brain-computer interface industry. Experts point out that in the process of using new brain-computer interface technologies to benefit mankind, issues such as safety and ethics also need to be taken seriously.

"There is nothing unusual during the entire treatment process. During treatment, the device will be implanted in the body and remotely controlled by the doctor, but the device needs to be charged regularly to maintain continuous operation and signal collection." Recently, Zhang Qiang (pseudonym), who lives in Liangjiang New District, Chongqing, told a reporter from the Workers' Daily that after suffering from depression for many years, he learned by chance that the functional neurosurgery department of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital was carrying out "brain-computer interface neuromodulation to treat refractory depression." He became a trial patient and now feels his symptoms are greatly relieved.

Ning Guang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Ruijin Hospital, said that, like Zhang Qiang, 23 patients with refractory depression had an average improvement of more than 60% in depressive symptoms and a significant improvement in quality of life after one or two years of treatment.

2023 has arrived, and new technologies in brain-computer interfaces have attracted much attention. Research progress in academia has been continuously disclosed publicly, while the industry is busy financing and promoting industrialization. Experts emphasize that while promoting new brain-computer interface technologies to benefit mankind, we must pay attention to related safety and ethical issues.

The "big move" in brain-computer interface shocked the industry

The so-called brain-computer interface refers to the creation of a connection path for information exchange between the brain of an organic life form and a device with processing or computer capabilities to achieve information exchange and control.

Relevant experts pointed out that the new brain-computer interface technology is a cutting-edge technology with great prospects and broad market application foundation. It has very unique advantages: it can access neural data decoded by the brain in real time, and can be connected with many cognitions and memories. Even activities such as sports are combined for neurotechnical regulation. "Reading" the brain is a worldwide problem, and brain-computer interfaces can use collected digital, biological and behavioral markers to discover where there are problems in the patient's brain, and then study and find treatment measures.

On May 29, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that it will regard brain-computer interface as an important direction for cultivating future industrial development, strengthen the exploration of brain-computer interface application scenarios, and accelerate the development of the brain-computer interface industry.

Zhao Zhiguo, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that the development of brain-computer interfaces has been included in the "14th Five-Year Plan". To promote the vigorous development of the brain-computer interface industry, it is especially necessary to improve the basic theory, signal acquisition, and advanced algorithms of brain-computer interfaces. We will strengthen our technological research and development capabilities, accelerate the research on key core technologies and important application products, and steadily improve the capabilities of basic industries such as brain-computer interface related chips and key components.

“The investment market’s confidence in brain-computer interface technology continues to increase.” Zhang Qian, deputy secretary-general of the Brain-Computer Interface Industry Alliance, said that the capital market is optimistic about the development prospects of neurotechnology represented by brain-computer interface, and the relevant investment amounts and investment pens The number keeps increasing. Judging from the data, as of May 2023, a total of 1,398 financing events related to brain-computer interfaces have occurred worldwide.

Technology is bringing science fiction into reality

In science fiction movies, disabled people use robotic arms to play and sing, aphasic people speak, deaf people hear sounds, and humans control huge machines with their thoughts... Nowadays, technology is making scenes in science fiction movies come into reality.

On May 25, Neuralink, a company owned by Musk, was approved to conduct human trials of brain-computer interfaces, which is regarded as a milestone in the commercialization of brain-computer interfaces. Musk hopes that this technology will help visually impaired and mobility-challenged people restore their vision and mobility.

In China, a team led by Professor Duan Feng of Nankai University has used invasive brain-computer interfaces to control the behavior of mice, and has also used non-invasive brain-computer interfaces to control wheelchairs and cars. In recent years, it has also invested in interventional brain-computer interfaces. Research. As early as 2020, the brain-computer interface clinical translation research team of Zhejiang University used the brain-computer interface to help a quadriplegic person control external robotic arms and hands to complete eating and shaking hands.

Scientists hope to overcome technical problems, and entrepreneurs hope to get consumers to accept new products. Currently, many brain-computer interface products have been launched in the medical and elderly care sectors. At the just past 2023 Zhongguancun Forum, brain-computer interface not only became one of the hot words, but products with practical applications of brain-computer interface also appeared on the forum.

In the exhibition area of ​​the 2023 Zhongguancun Forum, many domestic companies in the brain-computer field such as Boricon, Huanao Technology, Rouling Technology, and Zhentai Intelligence brought their own products, including brain-controlled typing systems, brain-controlled typing systems, and brain-controlled typing systems. Control rehabilitation equipment, brain-computer equipment to assist sleep, and helmets that can monitor the wearer's mental state, etc.

Safety should be given top priority

Technology can change lives and may also subvert the world. With the emergence of new brain-computer interface technologies, people have to face issues such as safety and ethics.

Zhao Jizong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and executive committee member of the World Federation of Neurosurgery, believes that according to surgical standards, brain-computer interface equipment can be divided into three types: invasive, non-invasive and semi-invasive. Installation of implantable devices, whether invasive or semi-invasive, carries certain risks and requires placement in the brain. In the future application stage, issues such as brain control, mental freedom, and fairness will also be involved.

"The application of invasive brain-computer interface technology in the medical field should put safety first." Zhao Jizong said, "I hope that the brain-computer interface can relieve the pain of patients with paralysis, epilepsy, depression and other patients. In progress Safety is paramount when it comes to trials. Only when patient safety issues are addressed can the next step be considered. Ensuring safety is not just about processing a single data; it requires processing a variety of data, which requires a lot of time."

At the Zhongguancun Forum Brain-Computer Interface Innovation and Development Forum held recently, He Jianghong, chairman of the Science Popularization and Technology Ethics Working Group of the Brain-Computer Interface Industry Alliance and chief physician of the Department of Neurosurgery at Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, released the "Ethical Principles of Brain-Computer Interface" and Governance Recommendation 2023", on the one hand, it aims to promote a broad consensus on the application of brain-computer interface ethical governance systems in scientific research, clinical and other scenarios. On the other hand, it hopes to attract more relevant parties to pay attention to brain-computer interfaces and actively participate in ethical co-governance. .

Zhao Zhiguo said that while practicing science and technology for good and adapting to technological development, we should do necessary system construction, ethical standards and legislative research, promote the establishment of hierarchical ethics management systems such as medical education, and determine reasonable scientific research and application boundaries. , to ensure the safe application of relevant technologies.

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