Artificialization of humans? Focusing on Elon Musk's Neuralink!

 Forgetting things is the most common issue that we face during our lives where an average human forgets 40% of what he has learned in the first 20 minutes and 77% of that in 6 days. What if we come up with a solution that not only allows us to upload memories but also stores them as a backup and retrieves them whenever we want? Such a statement seems like the wishful thinking of an average human being but artificial intelligence goes several steps ahead from not only specializing in memory loss but also spinal cord injuries, brain damage, blindness, and overcoming cognitive disabilities in a population that makes up 10% of only the United States.

Back in 2016, Elon Musk envisioned Neuralink which designs an implantable device into the brain made up of thin fibers carrying electrodes ensuring communication between different parts of the body. Musk defines it  “like a Fitbit in your skull.” However, there are ever-increasing concerns of singularity revolving around Musk’s idea.

Singularity outlines a development of a machine having more capabilities than an average human. Nonetheless, the idea of controlling everything only with thoughts is enthralling the masses. The safety concerns of it are the most obvious where according to the research Neuralink is working considerably well in monkeys. Nonetheless, the question arises can Neuralink like any other computer function be hacked? The answer to this is unfortunately Yes! that gives rise to a range of ethical concerns. As a result, such an artificialization of humans can lead to their usage for malicious purposes. Such a concern leads to the concluding mark of developing ethical frameworks around AI where the plausible consequences of technological intervention need to be thoroughly monitored and responsibly controlled.

References:

Alexiou, G., 2020. Could Elon Musk’s Neuralink Be A Game-Changer For People With Disabilities?. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2020/09/08/could-elon-musks-neuralink-be-a-game-changer-for-people-with-disabilities/?sh=4e5ba3515f97> [Accessed 28 September 2022].

CDC, 2020. Disability Impacts All of Us. [online] Centers for disease control and prevention. Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html> [Accessed 28 September 2022].

Chalmers, D., 2016. The Singularity. Science Fiction and Philosophy, pp.171-224.

Kahn, J., Vanian, J. and Khan, M., 2022. Elon Musk’s claims Neuralink’s brain implants can take 'photos' of memories and help paraplegics walk again. [online] Fortune. Available at: <https://fortune.com/2022/07/07/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-implant-claims/> [Accessed 28 September 2022].

Lau, J., 2020. Council Post: Hacking Humans: How Neuralink May Give AI The Keys To Our Brains. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/11/18/hacking-humans-how-neuralink-may-give-ai-the-keys-to-our-brains/?sh=b8a99935791d> [Accessed 28 September 2022].

Thalheimer, W., 2010. How Much Do People Forget? » Work-Learning Research. [online] Work-Learning Research. Available at: <https://www.worklearning.com/2010/12/14/how-much-do-people-forget/> [Accessed 28 September 2022].