Jelle de Boer - Brain Computer Interfaces for everybody

What if we could connect two of the most powerful information processors: the computer and the brain? We could overcome the physical limitations of the body. There has always been a major gap between biological and artificial systems. However, with current developments in Neurosciences, Artificial Intelligence, and modern Engineering, the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) has become more than science-fiction.

This colloquium will discuss how we could develop user-friendly and effective BCI systems. If we look at both brains and computers as Input-Output systems, how can we aid effective communication between the two? The brain is organized for sensory input. The Central Nervous System converts this input to sensible motor output, namely muscle contractions. BCI research explores direct communication between neurons in the brain to a computer or machine.

The brain has an organized structure we could exploit for specialized applications. And although brain signals are very weak, some brain imaging approaches allow for measurement of different brain states. To improve a smart BCI we need to keep in mind how the brain works and the limits of brain plasticity. If we want BCIs for everybody, we have to make the BCI user-friendly and practical.

We need strategies towards a BCI that can interpret the users intent and provide feedback in a way the brain can easily incorporate. There are brain regions that support output of the Central Nervous System we have to reconstruct artificially if we connect directly to it. I would like to discuss some of these challenges with you and show opportunities how you can support such research.