The Infinite Monkey Cage Mind-reading computers – Phil Wang, Anne Vanhoestenberghe and Luke Bashford
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Nov 12, 2025 
Join neuroscientist Luke Bashford, who specializes in brain-computer interfaces, and biomedical engineer Anne Vanhoestenberghe, an expert in implant technology, as they unravel the fascinating world of BCIs. They discuss the evolution from early medical devices to cutting-edge mind-reading technologies. Topics include the balance between invasive and non-invasive methods, the ethics of cognitive enhancement, and the potential for restoring movement and speech. The conversation ignites curiosity about whether we’re on the verge of decoding thoughts and what that means for humanity.
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Three-Part Structure Of BCIs
- A brain-computer interface (BCI) has three parts: brain-contacting sensors, a signal-processing computer, and an effector like a robotic arm.
- Luke Bashford emphasises that BCIs translate neural signals into real-world actions via this chain.
Miniaturization Made Implanted BCIs Possible
- Miniaturization unlocked modern implanted neural devices by making electronics small and long-lasting.
- Anne Vanhoestenberghe notes the brain's environment is wet and aggressive, so implants must resist corrosion and last decades.
Proximity Determines Signal Resolution
- Recording resolution rises as electrodes get closer to individual neurons, from scalp EEG to penetrating implants.
- Luke Bashford explains implanted microelectrodes capture single-cell firing while scalp devices record summed population activity.
