Brain-computer interfaces might have inspired works of science fiction, but the technology behind them is real and quickly developing. Companies like Synchron and Neuralink are racing to build a model that they can commercialize. Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED’s Emily Mullin to discuss why Synchron’s model is standing out, and the promises and limitations of these interfaces.
Mentioned in this episode:
There's Neuralink—and There's the Mind-Reading Company That Might Surpass It by Emily Mullin
You can follow Michael Calore on Bluesky at @snackfight, Lauren Goode on Bluesky at @laurengoode, and Katie Drummond on Bluesky at @katie-drummond. Write to us at [email protected].
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Transcript
Note: This is an automated transcript, which may contain errors.
Michael Calore: Hey, this is Mike. Before we start, I want to take the chance to remind you that we want to hear from you. Do you have a question around AI or politics or privacy that has been on your mind, or just a topic that you wish that we talked about on the show? If so, you can write to us at [email protected]. And if you listen to and enjoy our episodes, please rate the show and leave a review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps other people find us. Lauren, how you doing?
Lauren Goode: I'm hanging in there.
Michael Calore: Yeah.
Lauren Goode: It's been a hectic week, but hectic in a good way, I think.
Michael Calore: Yeah, you've been very busy writing a lot of big scoops for WIRED.com?
Lauren Goode: Not a lot, but enough. The Business Desk at WIRED has been really busy this week.
Michael Calore: Of which you're a part?
Lauren Goode: That's right.
Michael Calore: Yes.
Lauren Goode: How are you doing?
Michael Calore: I'm doing great, thanks.
Lauren Goode: Wow, you rarely hear that these days.
Michael Calore: I know.
Lauren Goode: We can probably just wrap the podcast now. How are you feeling about the fact that Katie is not with us this week?
Michael Calore: I think that she is going to stun and surprise us all with our third weekly episode that she's planning. Right now we have two episodes a week of the show. She's working on this project that's going to bring a third episode to the show, and I think we're all going to be very impressed by it. So, it's bittersweet she's not here, but the sweet part is that we get a third drop in the feed every week.