Elon Musk has been providing us with news and updates on Neuralink’s first patient who is now able to control a computer and even play Mario Kart.
But a lesser-known company, Synchron, is rising in the ranks - now for its ChatGPT integration.
Synchron is a start-up tech company working on a brain-computer interface (BCI) that lets people control digital devices with their thoughts.
According to CNET: 'This [Synchron] brain implant is now powered in part by ChatGPT.
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'It's designed to help people living with paralysis communicate faster and easier and more independently on their digital devices using only their thoughts.'
Right now, only 10 people in the world have this device as part of its clinical trial. But already, it's providing a glimpse into what the future could look like for people with visual or physical impairments.
So, how does it work?
In one demonstrational clip, a patient named Mark is asked a question through the OpenAI chatbot: 'Are you available for a telehealth appt on Tuesday at 3pm?'
Mark is then presented with a variety of responses to choose from including: 'Yep, I'm free.' to 'A bit tight, but I'll make it work.'
If he doesn't like any of the options, Mark can refresh the list for the AI to generate more choices.
CNET explained: 'He's [Mark] noticed that through using the AI, it seems to have gotten better at providing options more in line with things he might say.'
The company has previously mentioned experimenting with 'different AI models for about a year' to find the right one.
And then the release of ChatGPT 4.0 in May opened up new possibilities.
Founding CEO Tom Oxley said: 'We want to enable our users to engage in natural speeds of conversations. Often, people who have disabilities or motor impairment are left behind, we want to bring them back into the conversation using digital means.'
In another demo, a patient can be seen zooming in on a screen just by staring at it and thinking about moving it, as told by the demonstrator.
'In order to make a click or a selection with the Synchron BCI, users think about moving and the BCI interprets those thoughts and transmits them wirelessly to take the desired action on the user's device,' CNET continued.
Interestingly, Synchron’s technology builds on existing medical tools like stents and catheters, so it can be implanted into the brain 'without the need for open-brain surgery.'