Elon Musk is no doubt a controversial figure. Saviour and genius to some, rich clown to others. What cannot be denied, however, is the tech he brings to the table holds the potential to revolutionise the world we live upon and even the distant worlds beyond it. Recently, the ‘Neuralink’ device that Musk has lent his funds and vision to has entered the public consciousness once more. A new video has been released, wherein a monkey plays Pong with its brain as it enjoys a Smoothie:
Interesting? Yes. Absurd? Definitely. But what can we learn about the technology behind it, and how could it affect your business’s marketing in the not too distant future? Learn more with Wildfire today.
What is NeuraLink?
NeuraLink is a BCI/BMI: Brain Computer/Machine Interface. The main purpose of a BCI/BMI, as you can imagine, is to allow the brain to directly send and receive inputs from an electronic device. The signals you can send/receive is entirely dependent on the area in which the small sensor threads of the Neuralink are placed. Placing the “Link”, as NeuraLink calls it, near the motor cortex allows for the user to control the game of Pong with their mind. Placing it within the visual cortex would hypothetically allow the “Link” to send visual information to the blind, or so Musk claims.
In its first form, however, The NeuraLink will be implanted into the minds of those with limited movement to allow for control of devices via the mind. This ranges from an iOS app that allows a phone to be controlled even faster than it can be with the digits most of us currently use, to artificial limbs.
The final goal of NeuraLink, according to Musk, is something even more Sci-Fi. Avid fans of the South African, modern-day Howard Hughes know of his deep concern and vested interest in the advancement of AI. As early as the Obama Administration, Musk was petitioning the US Government to enforce regulations on the advancement of Artificial Intelligence. Musk argues that collective human intelligence is already comparable to an AI when we interface with the internet. We’re only slowed down by our method of interfacing. i.e our thumbs on a screen, or a hand moving a mouse. By increasing our “bandwidth”, and allowing the internet or even an AI to be accessed via the mind, we’re never in danger of being outsmarted by an AI.
What does this mean for your business?
At the moment, nothing. But the best businesses prepare for the future now, remaining forever innovative. If NeuraLink takes off, it fundamentally changes how we view invasive tech, as well as the web. Working in biotech? Marketing your cybernetic tech to a general audience may receive a better reception, for example. Conversely, customers with tech in their brain are far more likely to feel genuine concern for their cybersecurity. Marketing your tech or service based on this may appeal to a new audience.
Web Content would have to change soon. After all, what’s the point in a touch-based UI if you don’t have to touch it? Why does your new chocolate need a visual ad, when you can directly feed its very smell and taste directly into your customers’ olfactory receptors? Sure, it sounds ludicrous now, but when the next decade approaches and you already have a strategy for marketing in a BCI-based world, you’ll thank your past self for dreaming big.
Of course, remaining ahead of the curve in Marketing takes time and effort. Whilst our blogs give you the head start you need to excel, you may feel as if that time is better spent on your business. If you want a hassle-free Digital Marketing experience that always stays ahead of the times, employing the latest platforms and SEO tricks to ensure your business is seen and heard, trust Wildfire Marketing. As the number one SEO Agency in Leeds, employing a strong and fresh team of experts in the field, we’re confident we can help your business’s online presence grow. Contact us today to learn what Wildfire Marketing can do for you.