BCI technology has the potential to transform how humans interact with computers by decoding brain activity. The article discusses recent advances in BCI, including helping a paralyzed man walk again through signals sent to electrodes on his spinal cord. However, current BCI systems that do not require brain surgery, like a £20,000 EEG helmet, can only detect rudimentary levels of thought. While BCI may improve medical treatments and enable new forms of entertainment, ethical issues around privacy, consent, and addiction need consideration to ensure responsible development and use of the technology.

1. Assessment For: Analytical Reading and Viewing (20 marks)
I played a video game just by thinking — the mind-reader revolution is real
From leisure to healthcare, ‘brain-computer’ interfaces could be a part of life within five years. Rhys Blakely tries one for himself
Friday June 16 2023, 6.30pm, The Times
In a laboratory in central London, I’ve been asked to play a simple video game. Each time a red robot appears on a screen, I have
to instruct a robotic arm to pick it up. But this won’t involve pressing a button or waggling a joystick.
Instead, I merely think about making a fist. My hand does not move, but the robot arm on the screen does. A machine is decoding
my thoughts and then translating them into action.
“Not long ago, we thought this would be impossible,” said Allan Ponniah, a consultant at the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and
one of the founders of Cogitat, the company behind the system.
Buoyed by a surge of technical progress, he now believes that this kind of “brain-computer interface” (BCI) could be part of
everyday life within five years — that by linking the central nervous system to machines it will be possible to create new forms of
entertainment, new ways of working and new medical treatments.
After decades of research, BCIs have recently shown glimpses of their potential. “If you’re thinking about clinical applications, then
absolutely we’re at the point where science fiction is starting to become a reality,” said Andrew Jackson, professor of neural
interfaces at Newcastle University.
One case study made global headlines last month, when researchers in Switzerland used a BCI to help a paralysed man walk
again. Gert-Jan Oskam, 40, had lost the use of his legs 12 years ago after an accident that damaged his spinal cord at the neck.
Two small circular sections of his skull were removed and an array of electrodes were placed on to the surface of his brain.
These monitor his brain activity, which is decoded by an AI, which sends a stream of signals to a second set of electrodes
implanted in the small of his back. These stimulate his spinal cord, causing his leg muscles to flex and allowing him to walk.
Professor Zubair Ahmed, director of the Centre for Trauma Sciences Research at the University of Birmingham, thinks that these
techniques are destined to liberate many paralysis victims from their wheelchairs.

2. Another BCI system, developed at the University of Tübingen in Germany, has allowed a “locked-in” paralysis victim, who could not
speak or move at all, to communicate entire sentences. Again, it works by decoding his brain activity.
These early applications have been medical, but others have their sights set on larger markets. Elon Musk has founded Neuralink,
a company built on the premise that brain implants which allow people to communicate directly with supercomputers will one day
be as common as wireless earbuds are today.
Last month, the UK’s information watchdog warned that new regulations may be needed to police technologies that may, quite
literally, read your thoughts.
The system I tried out this week at Imperial College has one big difference with the BCI that helped Oskam walk: there was no
need to undergo brain surgery. Instead, you wear a £20,000 helmet that contains 21 electrodes. They monitor the electrical activity
of billions of neurons, generating a stream of electroencephalogram (EEG) data.
The signal is far less clear than that from a surgically implanted device that sits on the brain itself. Using an EEG helmet to monitor
brain activity is like trying to follow a football game by listening to the roar of the crowd from outside the ground, Jackson said.
But Cogitat has shown that useful information can still be harnessed. Last year its technology beat a field of rivals, including a team
from the US military, in a competition that called for it to determine “behavioural intentions using brain waves” picked up through
EEG.
The demonstration I took part in involved five to ten minutes of “training”, where I flexed my hands into fists. Cogitat’s software
homed in on the motor cortex — a region of the brain involved in movement — and was able to detect patterns of electrical activity
related to this gesture.
The next step involved a video game where you play the part of a sorcerer. When you think about making a fist, a sphere of
magical energy grows on the screen. Your fist doesn’t move, but the sphere grows. It is a very unusual feeling.
“It’s addictive,” said Dimitrios Adamos, a co-founder of Cogitat, which has been spun out of Imperial College London.
“We think we can use this to control prosthetic limbs, to drive drones, to navigate in virtual worlds,” Ponniah added.
Early next year the Cogitat system is due to be part of an NHS trial to look at whether it can help in the rehab of stroke patients
who have lost use of their arms. The machine will act a little like a coach: it should be able to show them that they’re using the
correct part of their brains to instruct their hands to move — even if they’re hands don’t immediately respond. Repeating these
exercises should, it is hoped, lead to improvements.
Where the technology goes from there is an open question. “The big tech players are very interested in integrating these kinds of
neural interfaces into virtual reality headsets, into earphones and so on,” said Jackson.

3. He stressed, however, that there was a large gulf between what could be achieved at present with a surgically implanted device
and with an EEG helmet that sat on your head. The benefits of brain surgery for a paralysis victim may be clear. But how many
people, he wonders, would have a hole drilled in their head in order to commune more closely with a video game?
Ponniah, as you might imagine, is bullish on what will be possible without resorting to surgery. Already, Cogitat is able to tap into a
person’s thoughts, albeit at a rudimentary level. He believes that the technology will improve, the hardware will become cheaper,
and that people will value the experience.
“When you imagine something and you see it actually happening — it’s mind-blowing,” he said. “This isn’t an incremental step. This
is a total transformation in how people can interact with computers.”
Comprehension Questions:
1. Assess the potential impact of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology on medical advancements. Discuss how BCI systems
could revolutionise treatments for paralysis, stroke rehabilitation, and communication disorders, citing examples from the article and
your own knowledge. [4 marks]
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2. Analyze the ethical implications of using BCI technology for non-medical purposes, such as entertainment and gaming. Consider
factors such as privacy, consent, and the potential for misuse or addiction to support your viewpoint. [2 marks]
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3. Evaluate the challenges and limitations of current BCI technology and societal acceptance. [2 marks]
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5. 5. Discuss the potential long-term implications of integrating neural interfaces into everyday technology, considering factors
such as human-computer interaction, privacy, and the impact on society as a whole. [4 marks]
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6. Decode the article using CCTAP
- Contention
- Context
- Tone
- Audience
- Purpose

6. Possible Answers:
1. In terms of medical advancements, BCI technology has the potential to revolutionize treatments for paralysis, stroke rehabilitation,
and communication disorders. For example, the article highlights how BCI systems have enabled paralyzed individuals to regain
mobility and communicate. Additionally, BCI technology could lead to more efficient and personalized rehabilitation programs,
allowing stroke patients to regain motor function more quickly. Overall, BCI technology has the potential to significantly improve the
quality of life for individuals with medical conditions.
2. The use of BCI technology for non-medical purposes raises several ethical considerations. Privacy becomes a concern, as the
technology involves accessing and interpreting an individual's thoughts. Consent is another important factor, as individuals should
have the right to control when and how their brain activity is monitored and utilized. Furthermore, there is the potential for misuse or
addiction, as gaming and entertainment applications could exploit the direct access to the brain. Striking a balance between
innovation and ethical considerations is vital to ensure the responsible and beneficial use of BCI technology.

7. 3. Current BCI technology faces various challenges and limitations. Technically, there is a need for improved signal quality
and accuracy to enhance the user experience and expand the range of applications. Societally, acceptance and understanding of
BCI technology need to be fostered, as there may be concerns and misconceptions about the invasiveness or potential risks.
Overcoming these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration, investment in research and development, and education to
raise awareness and acceptance of BCI technology.
5. Integrating neural interfaces into everyday technology, as envisioned by companies like Neuralink, has both potential benefits and
risks. On the positive side, it could lead to more seamless human-computer interaction, enabling faster and more intuitive control of
devices. It could also open up new possibilities for individuals with disabilities, enhancing their independence and participation in
society. However, there are risks related to privacy and security, as direct access to the brain raises concerns about data protection
and potential misuse. Additionally, the widespread integration of neural interfaces may lead to societal changes and ethical dilemmas
that need to be carefully considered and addressed.
6. Contention: The article discusses the advancements and potential implications of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
Context: The article provides examples of various BCI systems and their applications, such as enabling paralyzed individuals to
regain mobility and communication abilities. It also mentions companies like Neuralink and their goals for integrating neural interfaces
into everyday technology.

8. Tone: The tone of the article is informative and objective. It presents facts and information about BCI technology without expressing
personal opinions or biases.
Audience: The article seems to target a general audience interested in technology and medical advancements. It assumes a basic
understanding of the topic but also provides explanations and examples to make the content accessible to a wider readership.
Purpose: The purpose of the article is to educate readers about BCI technology, its current capabilities, and potential future
developments. It aims to inform readers about the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations associated with BCI systems.