As if self-driving cars and space travel aren't extraordinary enough, Elon Musk is planning another startup straight out of the pages of science fiction: augmenting the human brain with computers.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has put his weight behind a new company dedicated to working on implants designed to interface with one's literal brain to increase human computing potential, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
Dubbed Neuralink, the startup is reportedly working on a way to merge software with the brain using a surgically implanted neural lace. With this technology, Neuralink hopes to improve the memory of augmented individuals and possibly even create a mind-controlled digital interface for computers.
Rise of the machines
Though Neuralink hasn't existed nearly long enough to be jacking folks into a computer anytime soon, Musk has long made his opinions known that he prefers biological intelligence develop along with — not grow dependent on — digital intelligence.
The futurist has put his money where his mouth is as well, donating millions to the ethical, non-Skynet-y potential of AI to go alongside his remarks that relying solely on artificial intelligence may doom the human race.
In the meantime, we're just as happy to support drafting out a code of ethics for AI and especially implanting one in our brains, as we've played enough Deus Ex to know where this kind of stuff leads when unchecked.
Via The Verge
