Neurotech Progress Stifled by Transhumanist Hype, Experts Warn
A breakthrough year for neurotechnology has been overshadowed by the ambitions of its most prominent investors. The prospect of uploading human brains into computers or merging with artificial intelligence has sparked concerns among experts, who argue that it is "dumb transhumanist ideas" distorting the debate and stifling progress in the field.
While companies like Neuralink and Merge Labs are working on developing innovative brain-computer interfaces, their CEOs, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, have been vocal about their own ambitions for a future where humans can upload their memories into a new body or robot. These ideas, experts say, are "completely unrealistic" and are hiding the real questions being asked in neurotechnology.
Marcello Ienca, a professor of neuroethics at the Technical University of Munich, notes that these narratives are "distorting the debate a lot." He argues that rich investors with no medical background are muddying public understanding of the potential of neurotechnology and creating unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved.
Michael Hendricks, a professor of neurobiology at McGill, is equally skeptical. "Rich people who are fascinated with these dumb transhumanist ideas" are confusing the field, he says. "Neuralink is doing legitimate technology development for neuroscience, but Elon Musk comes along and starts talking about telepathy and stuff."
As investors pour more money into neurotechnologies, experts warn that the industry's focus on consumer wearables and science fiction applications is diverting attention away from more pressing medical needs.
"The evidential robustness of these systems is very limited," says Ienca. "There are very few replicable studies." Hendricks agrees, stating that devices like EEG earphones are unlikely to be effective surveillance tools because the data is too noisy and unreliable in individual cases.
However, neuroscientist Hervé Chneiweiss raises concerns about the potential for these technologies to be used as a means of surveillance. "If they are used in the workplace, they could monitor your brain fatigue or things like that," he says. "The data could be used to discriminate."
As the field of neurotechnology continues to evolve, experts urge caution and emphasize the need for more scientific rigor and responsible investment practices.
"We have so many ways to influence people through language and simple visual media," Hendricks says. "I don't think [brain implants] would catch up for a long time."
A breakthrough year for neurotechnology has been overshadowed by the ambitions of its most prominent investors. The prospect of uploading human brains into computers or merging with artificial intelligence has sparked concerns among experts, who argue that it is "dumb transhumanist ideas" distorting the debate and stifling progress in the field.
While companies like Neuralink and Merge Labs are working on developing innovative brain-computer interfaces, their CEOs, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, have been vocal about their own ambitions for a future where humans can upload their memories into a new body or robot. These ideas, experts say, are "completely unrealistic" and are hiding the real questions being asked in neurotechnology.
Marcello Ienca, a professor of neuroethics at the Technical University of Munich, notes that these narratives are "distorting the debate a lot." He argues that rich investors with no medical background are muddying public understanding of the potential of neurotechnology and creating unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved.
Michael Hendricks, a professor of neurobiology at McGill, is equally skeptical. "Rich people who are fascinated with these dumb transhumanist ideas" are confusing the field, he says. "Neuralink is doing legitimate technology development for neuroscience, but Elon Musk comes along and starts talking about telepathy and stuff."
As investors pour more money into neurotechnologies, experts warn that the industry's focus on consumer wearables and science fiction applications is diverting attention away from more pressing medical needs.
"The evidential robustness of these systems is very limited," says Ienca. "There are very few replicable studies." Hendricks agrees, stating that devices like EEG earphones are unlikely to be effective surveillance tools because the data is too noisy and unreliable in individual cases.
However, neuroscientist Hervé Chneiweiss raises concerns about the potential for these technologies to be used as a means of surveillance. "If they are used in the workplace, they could monitor your brain fatigue or things like that," he says. "The data could be used to discriminate."
As the field of neurotechnology continues to evolve, experts urge caution and emphasize the need for more scientific rigor and responsible investment practices.
"We have so many ways to influence people through language and simple visual media," Hendricks says. "I don't think [brain implants] would catch up for a long time."
like is that even possible? and what about the people who need actual help from neurotech like paralysis patients or something? it's all just hype and unrealistic expectations. i mean come on, we're still trying to figure out how to make those eeg headbands work properly 
rich people messing with science for their own amusement 
, it's like they're more worried about becoming cyborgs than actually solving real problems 
. I mean, come on, can't we focus on making brain-computer interfaces that help people with paralysis or epilepsy first? 
Neuralink is doing some legit tech dev for neuroscience, but when Elon starts talking about telepathy, it's just weird 
. Experts are saying the industry is getting distracted by consumer wearables and science fiction stuff, and that we should be focusing on medical needs 
. I'm all for innovation, but let's keep our priorities straight 
. I mean, yeah, Neuralink is working on some legit tech, but Elon Musk's ambitions are just out of control 
. Who really needs to upload their memories into a new body or robot? It sounds like sci-fi nonsense 
.
. I'm not saying it wouldn't be creepy if companies used these techs to monitor people's brain fatigue or whatever, but let's focus on real medical needs first 
.
I need some credible sources here, folks 
. and don't even get me started on how they're muddying public understanding with their transhumanist nonsense 
. experts are right to sound the alarm, but it's hard not to roll your eyes when you see these rich guys throwing their weight around without actually knowing what they're talking about 
).
and i saw this squirrel collecting nuts 
like it had its own plan or something lol anyway what's with these neurotech companies getting all the hype? can't they just focus on making brain-computer interfaces that actually work 
Neurotech is being hijacked by Elon's ego, distracting from actual progress 
... and what about all the people who are gonna get left behind because these techs aren't ready for prime time yet? 
. I mean, we gotta have more focus on actual medical needs and not just chasing after these wild transhumanist ideas 
. Companies like Neuralink are doing legit tech dev, but then Elon Musk comes in with his sci-fi talk and it's all like, what's the point? 
EEG earphones might not be the most exciting thing, but if they can help with epilepsy or brain injuries, that's a win in my book 
.
. I mean, isn't that just what we have for now - our phone data and online activity? 
Do we really need to be monitoring each other's brains too? 
I mean, Marcello Ienca is totally right - rich investors with no medical background are ruining the conversation 
. Let's focus on creating devices that can actually make a difference in people's lives 
. That's what I call real progress 
It's time for us to take a step back and think about what we're really getting ourselves into here...
. These brain-computer interfaces are actually pretty cool but we need to focus on making them better not just because of some rich investor's personal ambitions 
. What ppl should be worried about is how these techs can actually help us 
.
. We need to be more careful with how we invest our time and money in this field 
, not just some rich ppl's ego trip 
.