Neuralink brain chip: revolution or hype?
Elon Musk's company Neuralink has become the first to implant a computer chip in a human brain. The device is meant to enable the recipient to control a mobile phone using thought alone. The technology, which several companies and institutions are researching, is aimed at helping people with paraplegia or dementia. Whether the Neuralink implant works remains to be seen, but other aspects of the technology also raise questions.
Quality standards so far insufficient
El Mundo ackonwledges the huge potential but says more evidence of success is needed:
“The dream of an implant that connects the brain to a damaged spinal cord or a prosthesis is drawing closer. ... Last year a paralysed man in Switzerland was able to walk again after being successfully implanted with a brain interface. ... The result was scientifically tested and published in a prestigious journal - two prerequisites that Musk's announcement does not fulfil. In addition, medical associations have reported that Neuralink caused 12 primates with similar chips to die agonising deaths. ... Every trial must meet strict quality and transparency standards to ensure that it is not just about financial speculation and does not give patients false hope.”
A scientific stillbirth
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung takes offence at the staging of an immature product:
“Perhaps Musk lacks the patience to wait for meaningful data that can be independently verified. It's also likely that he likes to show off rather than convince. For those affected and untreated, however, and for all others who are working towards the progress sought by hundreds of serious researchers, Mr X's communicative appetisers are, for the time being, nothing more than a scientific stillbirth. And Musk's experimental telepathy visions are just that: the bloopers of a medical industry that has been commercialised to the hilt.”
Hopefully the good intentions will remain
La Repubblica warns against misuse of the technology:
“It's true that the main purpose of implanting the chip in the brain is to help people with serious illnesses to recover their vital functions. ... However, in addition to the fundamental question of medical success, the first implant raises several other ethical questions. Firstly, there is the question of how far this technology should be taken, as Musk himself makes no secret of the fact that he is aiming for the 'cyborg', namely the integration of computers, artificial intelligence and humans to create 'superhumans'. And fears abound that the chip will one day be used for mind control.”
Prevent undesirable developments
Politicians should keep a close eye on Musk's plans, Trends-Tendances insists:
“Elon Musk announced that the chips will also be designed to prevent us from being overtaken by AI. ... Otherwise, humanity runs the risk of becoming extinct, he explained. This is precisely where ethical and social questions arise or will arise. ... The start-up Neuralink will redefine what humans are in the future. The limits for potential undesirable developments are set by society, i.e. by our politicians. But today they are busy with our farmers, tomorrow with the next elections and the day after tomorrow with other urgent problems. Meanwhile, the real decision-makers are forging ahead and reshaping the world of tomorrow without our consent.”