Brain-Computer Interface: Are we crossing a line regarding our thoughts?

Think about this. You’re going through your thoughts without speaking or texting and your phone opens up and sends a message to someone. A message that you only thought about sending. All you need is just the brain’s electrical activity. Welcome to the era of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), where mind and machine are connected.

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Let’s explore what Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is. BCIs are system that establish a link between the brain and an external device such as a computer or a prosthetic. It brings us closer to a world where we can mentally control a technology device without even talking or touching it, just with a thought. We have seen this in real life with Elon Musk’s neuralink. The wonderful thing about BCI is that it helps people with disabilities do things they weren’t able to do. It could enable such individuals communicate, use a computer, and even control a prosthetic limb, all from their brain.

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Concerning BCI, there have been a couple of questions bordering around ethics. Let’s check them out.

1.Are our thoughts safe?

If information can be gotten from the brain and transmitted, there could be a possibility of an interception. What if, in the future, cyberattacks don't just have to do with breaking into your phone or computer or stealing your money, but also include breaking into your memories and thoughts?

2.What happens with consent?

There have been concerns over consent when it comes to BCI. What if BCI accesses the thoughts we don’t want it to? Unlike what we have with websites where we can choose whether or not to click a link, we can’t control what our brain thinks sometimes. What if someone or even the government can read the thought we don’t want to share, through BCI?

3.What would be left of mental privacy?

We already have a lot of issues navigating physical privacy. But now, there’s the chance of our thoughts no longer being private. That’s a line many won’t be willing to cross.

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Despite the pertinent questions surrounding BCI, BCI has some incredible advantages

1.For people who have paralysis at different levels, or speech impairment, BCI has been used to restore movement and speech.

2.BCI has also been instrumental in detecting neurological conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimers really early.

3.BCI has the potential of improving mental capacity and cognition

4.BCI introduces a way of communication for individuals with problems communicating, like those on the autism spectrum.

Having seen the pros and cons of BCI, it is up to us to decide which outweighs which. I think the pros outweigh the cons. I am looking forward to the greater things Brain-Computer Interface will be used to achieve in the future