When he’s not busy running Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk is apparently thinking of ways to prevent robots from taking over the world. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the serial entrepreneur has set up a company that aims to develop technology connecting brains to computers, an effort that will allow humans to reach a higher level of function and avoid domination by intelligent machines.
Musk has launched Neuralink, the report says, although it’s unclear what role he will take in the new company. The venture aims to develop what Musk calls “neural lace” technology, which involves implanting tiny electrodes in human brains. The implants will be used first to treat brain diseases, and then in elective surgeries to help humans enhance their cognitive function, some people who have had discussions with the company have speculated. Neuralink registered in California last year as a “medical research” company.
Max Hodak, who previously founded the robotic lab services company known as Transcriptic, claims to be a founding member of the new company and confirmed Musk’s involvement. Musk even hinted at the company himself, saying in January that an announcement on neural lace tech may be on the horizon. He referenced Neuralink in another Twitter post yesterday.
Long Neuralink piece coming out on @waitbutwhy in about a week. Difficult to dedicate the time, but existential risk is too high not to.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2017
At a conference last June, Musk expressed concerns about the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. “If you assume any rate of advancement in [artificial intelligence], we will be left behind by a lot.” He pointed out that humans take in information much more quickly than utilize it. “Your output level is so low, particularly on a phone, your two thumbs just tapping away,” he said. “This is ridiculously slow. Our input is much better because we have a high bandwidth visual interface into the brain. Our eyes take in a lot of data.”
As you can imagine, the company faces several hurdles should it move forward. It would have to make the technology and then receive government approval, not to mention the daunting task of convincing people to get elective brain surgery. According to Hodak, the company is at an “embryonic” stage at this point.
Source: The Wall Street Journal (Subscription required)
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