2025-05-15 · auto-analysis (draft)

Ex-Neuralink Founder: AI Enhanced Bodies Are Nearly Here w/ Max Hodak | EP #171

The podcast discusses the development of a retinal prosthetic device for vision restoration, the potential of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, and the importance of sustainable funding for such advancements. The discussion covers the challenges and limitations of current Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), the potential of biotechnological solutions, and the idealized neural interface concept. The podcast discusses the current state of neural device integration in mouse brains, advancements in cell engineering and materials, upcoming primate experiments, and the potential future of merging human brains with AI. Max Hodak discusses brain-to-brain connections, their potential as longevity technologies, and the future of consciousness merging with AI.

▶ Watch on YouTube

Topics

AI Enhanced Bodies AI|Robotics ▶ 0:07

Discussion on AI-enhanced human bodies and their potential future advancements.

Retinal Prosthetics Health ▶ 0:59

Description of a retinal prosthetic device that helps blind patients regain vision.

BCI Technology AI|Robotics ▶ 1:26

Discussion on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and its potential future advancements.

Business and Sustainability Economy ▶ 5:49

Emphasis on the need for profitable tech companies to sustainably fund BCI research and development.

AI AI ▶ 9:09

Discussion on the challenges and limitations of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs).

Neurotechnology Neurotechnology ▶ 10:38

Exploration of idealized neural interfaces and the limitations of current technologies.

Biotechnology Biotech ▶ 14:01

Discussion on the potential of biotechnological solutions for neural interfaces.

Neuroscience Neuroscience ▶ 11:47

Explanation of the human brain's communication rate in terms of bits per second.

Cell Engineering Biotech ▶ 19:42

Recent advancements in cell engineering and materials science enabling neural device integration.

Primate Experiments Biotech ▶ 21:01

Training primates for neural device engraftment and potential human trials.

Future of Neurotechnology AI ▶ 24:00

Potential for merging human brains with AI and the impact of AGI on the future.

Longevity Technologies Longevity ▶ 25:49

Exploration of brain-to-brain connections as a potential longevity technology.

Future of Consciousness Other ▶ 27:38

Speculation on the point of merging two conscious experiences into one.

Predictions made

open Ray Kerszswall: High bandwidth BCI by the early 2030s

EP #? · · due: 2033 · ▶ watch

“Ray Kerszswe predicted high bandwidth BCI by the early 2030s, and Max was initially skeptical but later agreed with Ray.”

Your call:

open Max Hodak: Development of a 13th cranial nerve with interhemispheric class bandwidth.

EP #? · · due: unspecified · ▶ watch

“Could you have a 13th cranial nerve that has kind of interhemispheric class bandwidth like the the bandwidth that connects the the two hemispheres this fiber bundle called the corpus colossum.”

Your call:

open Max Hodak: Neural device engraftment in humans will be primarily for stroke rehabilitation.

EP #? · · due: unspecified · ▶ watch

“And the the first humans to get this will almost certainly be for stroke um and if you'd asked me this 3 weeks ago I would have said I thought that it would be four or five years before the first human get it I actually think this is now going to be much faster I think there's we uh uh there might be a collaboration that allows us to go to humans a lot faster than I'd realized.”

Your call:

open Max Hodak: Human brains will be merged with AI, leading to enhanced human intelligence.

EP #? · · due: 2030-2035 · ▶ watch

“I mean I for a lot of my life I always felt like I could see the future and I've got this event horizon somewhere between 2030 and 2035 now. um that is just impossible to see past the AGI and ASI are definitely happening and I think that this is I mean everybody knows about it now but it is still there's there's basically no way to overrate the impact of that and this is the is the merge the only way through I don't know there's that was a conversation we had last year you know do we need to couple”

Your call:

open Max Hodak: Merging with other people, AI, or creating meta intelligence is possible in the next decade.

EP #? · · due: next decade · ▶ watch

“um and I think will be possible on the on the time scale of the next decade”

Your call:

Numbers that matter

many billions of dollars a year Potential annual market for retinal prosthetics.
around $200,000 Estimated cost per patient in the US, with Medicare as the key payer.
tens of thousands Number of patients directly relevant to the technology.
about $250,000 Estimated cost per patient in the US, with Medicare as the key payer.
two or three thousand patients a year Potential patient volume for the company.
7 bits per second Neuralink's current communication rate.
40 bits per second Average bits per second for human speech and brain's attention processes.
100,000 electrodes Potential for a 100,000 electrode device with a million neurons.
1,000 electrodes Neuralink's current placement of electrodes.
100 electrodes Brain Gate's placement of electrodes.
4 to 6 weeks Time for activity-dependent pruning after device engraftment.
Over hundred billion dollars Amount invested by Apple and Samsung in smartphone and wearable tech development.
Four or five years Initial estimate for human trials before faster collaboration was anticipated.
2030-2035 Event horizon for the speaker's vision of the future.