(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a shocking revelation, the Pentagon has raised concerns about “brain hacking,” a cutting-edge technology that can extract and implant information into human minds. This innovation, known as brain-machine interfaces (BMI) or brain-computer interfaces, connects the brain’s electrical signals directly to a device, allowing individuals to control devices purely with their thoughts.
China has claimed advancements in this technology, suggesting the potential for “mind reading.” Meanwhile, in the U.S., scientists have successfully implanted false memories in mice. “No emerging technology is potentially more important to the military,” stated Lt. Cmdr. Mark Wess in the U.S. Naval Institute’s magazine. He envisions naval officers using this technology to control various ship systems merely by thinking.
Wess further expressed concerns about nations like China and Russia adopting this technology rapidly without considering its implications on human well-being. He posed questions about the potential risks, asking, “Can a person’s BMI be hacked to extract information from a mind? Could someone be interrogated merely by hooking them up to a BMI?”
The U.S. government has explored the potential of brain technology as a more accurate lie detector than traditional methods. Capt. Ayesha Ahmad, in her 2021 master’s thesis, reported that the U.S. Navy achieved a 95% accuracy rate in detecting deception using electroencephalograms (EEGs).
China’s advancements in this field include the “Brain Talker” device, capable of decoding mental intentions. In contrast, the U.S. Defense Department’s research arm has been working on wearable interfaces to control drone swarms.
Besides extracting information, there’s active research on inserting knowledge into brains. A significant breakthrough occurred a decade ago when U.S.-based scientists implanted a false memory in a mouse by activating specific brain cells.
There’s also hope for medical advancements using BMI. Recent studies have enabled paralyzed individuals to communicate through brain implants combined with artificial intelligence. In one case, a woman, paralyzed for 18 years, was able to “speak” using this technology.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is showcasing an exhibit in Washington to educate the public on the progress and potential of brain-computer interfaces. The exhibit displays digital art created by paralyzed patients using a brain implant and popular software tools.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink is also diving into this technology. After receiving FDA approval, Neuralink is recruiting human patients to test its BMI technology, aiming to allow individuals to operate computers using only their thoughts.
