Announced in 2013, the BRAIN Initiative is a massive undertaking by several agencies across the country, including universities, tech companies, and neuroscientists. The Initiative is comprised of several programs designed to lower the barriers between the human brain and the digital world.
"A new DARPA program aims to develop an implantable neural interface able to provide unprecedented signal resolution and data-transfer bandwidth between the human brain and the digital world. The interface would serve as a translator, converting between the electrochemical language used by neurons in the brain and the ones and zeros that constitute the language of information technology. The goal is to achieve this communications link in a biocompatible device no larger than one cubic centimeter in size, roughly the volume of two nickels stacked back to back. "
“Today’s best brain-computer interface systems are like two supercomputers trying to talk to each other using an old 300-baud modem,” said Phillip Alvelda, the NESD program manager.
“Imagine what will become possible when we upgrade our tools to really open the channel between the human brain and modern electronics.” https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2015-01-19
We are entering a brave new world, and once these institutions merge the human brain with the digital world...nothing will ever be the same. It may sound dramatic, and some may welcome the technological advancements, but I can't help but wonder what part of our humanity we are giving up?
Once something like this happens, no one will be able to regulate the progression, and once you open pandora's box, there is no going back.