Brain/Computer Interfaces Named ‘Technology of the Year’

Nature Electronics has named Brain/Computer Interfaces as their “technology of the year” for 2023. These interfaces establish direct communication between the brain and external devices, allowing recording, decoding, and stimulation of neural activity. They hold promise in various applications, including treating neurological disorders and enhancing human capabilities.

There have been continuous improvements in the devices underpinning BCIs. Notably, Purdue University researchers developed a wireless communication technique for neural implants using biphasic quasistatic brain communication. This approach enables implants to transmit information to a wearable hub, which also supplies power and programming to the implant.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a report on neurotechnology, emphasizing the need for global regulation and a universal ethical framework for BCIs. Similar frameworks have been developed for other significant scientific domains, underscoring the importance of ethical considerations parallel to technological advancements in BCIs.

A Stanford team has demonstrated intracortical microelectrode arrays that are able to decode signals from the brain at 62 words per minute with a 23.8% error rate. Electrocorticography electrode arrays have achieved a median rate of 78 words per minute with a 25.5% error rate.