No More Typing: Scientists Create Brain Implant for Social Media Navigation

How would you feel about using a brain implant to browse social media? Nowadays, scientists worldwide are trying to make that possible. 

For example, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has successfully enabled a monkey to type on a keyboard using its thoughts.

Soon, brain implants could change the way we interact with our devices. On the other hand, it could have significant long-term consequences.

How do such brain implants work?

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Brain implants are minuscule devices surgically embedded into a human brain to enhance its capabilities.

It has microscopic threads that link to specific parts of the brain. Then, it detects signals that correspond to various actions, such as clicking, scrolling, or typing.

The device might interpret those signals and execute the corresponding actions. Alternatively, it could relay them to a separate device that reads and implements such commands.

Regardless, the brain implant will allow you to check your newsfeed, post updates, and communicate without touching physical devices.

Neuralink demonstrated its brain implant at its Show and Tell event. Co-founder DJ Seo explained how the company could install chips into peoples’ brains.

He featured a robot surgeon inserting threads into specific points in a mannequin’s brain. Seo said the machine could install 64 threads in 15 minutes.

He explained that only a robot could precisely and safely perform this procedure. 

Leader of Neuralink’s hardware insertion team Christine Odabashian said the threads are too small for human hands:

“Imagine taking a hair from your head and sticking it into jello covered by saran wrap, doing that to a precise depth and precision, and doing that 64 times in a reasonable amount of time.”

Seo added that the brain implant requires wireless charging. Yet, he assured the audience that it would charge quickly and avoid magnetic interference.

What are the potential pros and cons of brain implants?

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The apparent benefit of brain implants for social media is the significantly improved user experience. You would not need to rely on your phone or PC to check Facebook or Twitter. 

Instead, you can send messages and check your news feed without fiddling with devices. Also, Grime Daily says it could provide higher levels of security and privacy.

After all, it claims that brain implants are not susceptible to hacking or other types of cyberattacks because they are inside your body.

These devices could also help people with disabilities access social media platforms. After all, some countries already help them reintegrate into society.

For example, some convenience stores and cafes in Japan use robots controlled by people with disabilities. Perhaps brain implants could improve their lives further.

Still, these devices still have a few potential issues. The biggest one is they would likely be expensive. 

Aside from purchasing the chip, a person would need to undergo brain surgery via a robot to install it.

More importantly, it is a relatively new technology with unexplored potential side effects. We do not know the long-term impacts of having a brain chip for several years.

Conclusion

Brain implants for social media browsing may seem like the stuff of science fiction. Yet, we have AI chatbots and satellite internet nowadays.

The world is undeniably going through a radical digital transformation. Eventually, these technologies would drastically change our daily lives.

In response, we should prepare ourselves by learning about its latest developments. Keep yourself updated by following Inquirer USA.