Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have long promised to blur the lines between human biology and machine intelligence. But what if they could do more—much more? Max Hodak, former Neuralink co-founder, now at the helm of Science Corp, isn’t just iterating on old ideas. He’s laying the groundwork for a future where the very boundaries of consciousness, identity, and the human mind are redrawn.
While Neuralink made headlines for linking brains to computers, Hodak’s new vision is even wilder—think engineered neurons, vision-restoring chips, and the possibility of merging multiple minds into a single consciousness. Let’s break down why this matters, what most people are missing, and what’s coming next.
Why This Matters
- Radical Medtech Transformation: Science Corp’s Prima chip could restore sight to millions suffering from macular degeneration—a disease that affects nearly 200 million people worldwide.
- Biohybrid Brain Upgrades: The next step is not just fixing brains, but augmenting them—growing new, engineered neurons to boost cognition or repair damage, potentially available to patients by 2035.
- The End of Individual Consciousness? The most jaw-dropping idea: connecting multiple brains, devices, or even people into shared minds, raising profound questions about identity, ethics, and power.
What Most People Miss
- Engineering, not Neuroscience, is the Breakthrough: As Hodak points out, the real innovation isn’t decoding brain signals—it’s making devices small, safe, and powerful enough to deploy at scale.
- Gene Therapy as a Trojan Horse: Science Corp’s optogenetic approach may leapfrog electrodes altogether, making BCIs less invasive and more precise.
- Healthcare Economics Will Be Upended: Unlike consumer tech, healthcare can’t simply expand spending to match new capabilities. The rise of BCIs could create a world where only the wealthy access cognitive upgrades, exacerbating social divides.
Key Takeaways & Analysis
- BCI Market Momentum: Nearly 700 companies globally are now pursuing BCI tech, with giants like Microsoft, Apple, and OpenAI entering the fray. China is aiming for global BCI dominance by 2030, and the race is heating up.
- Science Corp’s Real-World Impact: Their Prima retinal implant, acquired and refined from Pixium Vision, has restored reading ability in 80% of blind trial patients—a first in medical history.
- Tech Leapfrogging: By moving from chips to gene therapies and engineered neurons, Science Corp is betting on a future where we don’t just repair, but radically enhance, the mind.
- Existential Questions: If consciousness can be transferred, expanded, or merged, what does that mean for humanity? What happens to privacy, autonomy, and the definition of ‘self’?
Context & Industry Comparisons
- Other Players: Neuralink focuses on high-bandwidth brain interfaces, while Synchron (partnering with Apple) is making BCIs to control devices. Science Corp is unique in its biological approach—creating new brain tissue, not just interfaces.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Science Corp expects European approval for Prima in 2026, but FDA timelines remain uncertain. At $200,000 per procedure, early adoption will be limited but potentially lucrative.
- Societal Implications: As BCIs become more capable, the risk of creating ‘cognitive elites’ or even hive-mind societies becomes real. This isn’t science fiction—Hodak puts a timeline on it: decades, not centuries.
Timeline: The Road to the Hybrid Mind
- Now: Prima chip restores reading vision in blind patients in clinical trials.
- 2026: Expected commercial launch in Europe.
- 2030: China aims to be global BCI leader.
- 2035: Biohybrid neural interfaces available to patients.
- 2040s: BCI tech becomes ubiquitous, with possible options for consciousness transfer in terminal patients.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Restores lost senses, treats neurological conditions, and could extend or transform life itself.
- Cons: Raises huge ethical, economic, and identity issues; risk of social stratification and unknown long-term effects.
Action Steps & Practical Implications
- For Patients: Watch for clinical trial opportunities, particularly for vision restoration.
- For Regulators: Prepare for unprecedented approval and ethical challenges.
- For Society: Start public conversations about cognitive rights, access, and the future of identity.
Expert Commentary
“The end of the brain-computer interface quest, I think, is actually conscious machines.” – Max Hodak
“You could really, in a very fundamental sense, talk about redrawing the border around a brain, possibly to include four hemispheres, or a device, or a whole group of people.” – Max Hodak
The Bottom Line
Max Hodak and Science Corp aren’t just making better brain chips. They’re plotting a course toward a future where intelligence, consciousness, and even what it means to be human are up for grabs. As timelines shrink and technology accelerates, the biggest question isn’t just ‘How?’ but ‘Should we?’