Unlocking Minds: Top TED Talks on Brain Computer Interfaces
Introduction
Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have emerged as a fascinating field of study, allowing humans to interact with computers and other devices using only their thoughts. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate, work, and live. If you’re curious about BCIs and want to learn more, TED Talks are a great resource to explore. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top TED Talks that delve into the world of BCIs.
1. “How to control someone else’s arm with your brain” by Greg Gage
Greg Gage, a neuroscientist and co-founder of Backyard Brains, shares an intriguing TED Talk where he demonstrates how to control a robot arm using only its thoughts. He explains the science behind BCIs and highlights the potential applications of this technology in the future.
Greg Gage is on a mission to make brain science accessible to all. In this fun, kind of creepy demo, the neuroscientist and TED Senior Fellow uses a simple, inexpensive DIY kit to take away the free will of an audience member. It’s not a parlor trick; it actually works. You have to see it to believe it.
Watch this amazing showcase on TED Talks. It’s only 6 minutes.
2. “The Brain May Be Able to Repair Itself—with Help” by Jocelyne Bloch
Jocelyne Bloch, a neurosurgeon, presents a fascinating TED Talk about the potential of BCIs to aid in the brain’s self-repair process. She discusses her groundbreaking work in using BCIs to help patients with spinal cord injuries regain movement and independence.
Through treating everything from strokes to car accident traumas, neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch knows the brain’s inability to repair itself all too well. But now, she suggests, she and her colleagues may have found the key to neural repair: Doublecortin-positive cells. Similar to stem cells, they are extremely adaptable and, when extracted from a brain, cultured and then re-injected in a lesioned area of the same brain, they can help repair and rebuild it. “With a little help,” Bloch says, “the brain may be able to help itself.”
Watch this 11 minutes TED Talk here
3. “A Headset that Reads Your Brainwaves” by Tan Le
Tan Le, the founder and CEO of Emotiv, shares her personal journey and the development of a headset that can read brainwaves. She discusses the exciting possibilities of BCIs in various fields, including healthcare, entertainment, and education.
Watch this 10 minutes TED Talk here
4. “The Future We’re Building—And Boring” by Elon Musk
In this thought-provoking TED Talk, Elon Musk, the CEO of Neuralink, discusses the future of BCIs and their potential to enhance human capabilities. He explains how Neuralink is working on developing implantable devices that can connect the human brain to computers, opening up a world of possibilities.
5. “Brain Computer Interface: Bypassing Neuromuscular Traffic Jams” by Gaurav Mittal
Combining his passions for engineering and technology, Gaurav created his own BCI, brain-computer interface. The sixteen year old Senior Champion of the 2019 North Museum Science and Engineering Fair made a stand-alone prosthetic hand move just by thinking. In his talk, he explains his research and describes how this technology can literally transform lives.
Watch this 8 minutes TED Talk here.
6. “The Next Revolution: Brain-Computer Interfaces” by Victoria Dmitruczyk
This talk will cover how brain-computer interfaces have the potential to disrupt the future of health, work, and daily living. Victoria Dmitruczyk is obsessed with finding ways to implement various technologies for the sake of unlocking the vast amount of untapped human potential that is present on Earth.
To fuel this addiction, She worked on projects ranging from energy distribution to contraceptive administration in the developing world with the goal of helping improve the lives of those less fortunate. Excited to see how we can leverage emerging technologies and human ingenuity to progress our world forward as time moves on.
Watch this 10 minutes TED Talk here
7. “A powerful new neurotech tool for augmenting your mind” by Conor Russomanno
In an astonishing talk and tech demo, neurotechnologist Conor Russomanno shares his work building brain-computer interfaces that could enable us to control the external world with our minds. He discusses the quickly advancing possibilities of this field — including the promise of a “closed-loop system” that could both record and stimulate brain activity — and invites neurohacker Christian Bayerlein onto the TED stage to fly a mind-controlled drone by using a biosensing headset.
Watch this 13 minutes TED Talk here
8. “The Promises and Pitfalls of Brain Computer Interfaces” by Shivank Chhabra
Shivank Chhabra delves into the exciting world of brain-computer interfaces, a cutting-edge technology that blurs the boundaries of the future of neuroscience. Exploring the ethical and practical implications of this emerging field, Shivank sheds light on how this science fiction concept is becoming a reality before our very eyes. Shivank Chhabra is an A Level student at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics. He is particularly captivated by the overlap between the disciplines of biology/neuroscience and electrical engineering – especially how the latter can be modeled on neurological systems. This field is of special interest to him as he wishes to investigate the theory and expand on its practical applications within medicine, locomotion and entertainment to benefit society. By giving this talk, he hopes to inspire others to research and innovate within this growing field.
9. “Brain Computer Interface Technology” by Ariv Kapoor
Technology, such as brain computer interfaces, can be used to enhance what individuals can achieve. Brain Computer Interfaces might be used in the future to improve the lives of many through for example sending and receiving sensory data that could enable those with hearing or sight problems to hear or see.
Watch this 5 minutes TED Talk here.
10. “A brain implant that turns your thoughts into text” by Tom Oxley
What if you could control digital devices using just the power of thought? That’s the incredible promise behind the Stentrode — an implantable brain-computer interface that collects and wirelessly transmits information directly from the brain, without the need for open surgery. Neurotech entrepreneur Tom Oxley describes the intricacies of this breakthrough technology, which is currently enrolling participants in human trials, as well as how it could help restore dignity to those with disabilities — and transform the future of communication.
Watch this 13 minutes TED Talk here.
11. Brain-machine Interface and Robotics by Dr. Muhammad Jawad Khan
Dr. Muhammad Jawad Khan holds his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked on brain-robot interfaces and control of haptic device during his PhD where he published over 40 papers. His research interest includes hybrid brain-computer interfaces, brain signal processing and control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, rehabilitation robotics and agricultural robotics.
Conclusion
These top TED Talks offer a wealth of knowledge and insights into the world of Brain Computer Interfaces. Whether you’re a technology enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the potential of BCIs, these talks will provide you with a deeper understanding of this exciting field. So sit back, relax, and embark on a journey of discovery with these thought-provoking TED Talks.
Have we missed any other interesting TED Talks? Please leave a comment down below with some feedback. And browse around InnoVirtuoso for more interesting reads.
