Brain-computer interfaces face a critical test

April 3, 2025

A silicon brain hovering in a computer-generated background

(MIT Technology Review) – Neuralink, Synchron, and Neuracle are expanding clinical trials and trying to zero in on an actual product.

Implanted BCIs are electrodes put in paralyzed people’s brains so they can use imagined movements to send commands from their neurons through a wire, or via radio, to a computer. In this way, they can control a computer cursor or, in few cases, produce speech.

Recently, this field has taken some strides toward real practical applications. About 25 clinical trials of BCI implants are currently underway. And this year MIT Technology Review readers have selected these brain-computer interfaces as their addition to our annual list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies, published in January. (Read More)