Durham, Doctor of Philosophy, Scientific Director of the HSE Center for Bioelectrical Interfaces, and Senior Investigator of the Duke University Medical Center Center for Neuroengineering, talked about how we can improve the capabilities of our minds. Brain augmentation is an attractive idea, but it’s not without risks. The brain works best by activating only the necessary neurons. Trying to “overclock” the brain to its maximum capacity can threaten problems like epilepsy.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can improve brain function, but their use has adverse effects and is associated with unknown long-term consequences. Another “overclocking” technology – electrical stimulation of the brain using electrodes – is effective but requires further research.

Neurointerfaces is a new multi-part technology that allows a person to interact with computers and other devices directly through the brain. They can be used to improve brain function, but require more research and development.

Neural interfaces are devices that connect to the brain to input commands directly from the brain. They are already used in medicine to help people with paralysis. But neural interfaces can also improve brain function in general. The idea is to combine the capabilities of the brain and computers so that humans can use their natural abilities to interact with information. The main way to interact with a computer today is the keyboard, but using movement skills, sensitivity, vision and hearing is much more effective. How this will be directly achieved is not yet clear, but the development of neural interfaces could open up new possibilities for brains and computers to work together.

Along with neuro interfaces, artificial intelligence (AI) that mimics the work of the brain is also developing. Research in the field of AI helps to better understand how the brain works. Perhaps in the future AI will interact with humans through neuro interfaces and become their assistants. However, neural interfaces also present dangers. Experiments with brain implants in animals and humans have shown undesirable effects and risks. Before using brain stimulation, it is necessary to carefully study the possible consequences. New research is being conducted in the field of neuro interfaces, which allows to expand the functions of various branches of the brain. For example, experiments are already being done on stimulating the visual cortex, which allows subjects to see flashes of light. Possibilities of restoring hearing and improving motor function are also being explored.

Developing the brain is a challenging task with risks and uncertainties. Attention training and focusing on tasks is unfortunately currently the most reliable approach. However, the neuro interface provides new perspectives for the future. They are already used in medicine and can be used to improve brain function. The development of neuro interfaces requires further research and development. Artificial intelligence also plays an important role in this area, and it can become human assistants through neural interfaces. With opportunities come dangers, and their consequences must be carefully studied before using neural interfaces.