In this episode of “How to Build the Future,” Max Hodak, co-founder of Neuralink and founder of Science, discusses the rapid advancements in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and their transformative potential. Hodak explains that BCIs are no longer progressing incrementally; instead, the field is entering a “takeoff era” where breakthroughs are happening at an unprecedented pace. He highlights Science’s recent clinical trial, where over 40 people received a retinal implant that restores sight by bypassing dead rods and cones in the eye. This device uses a tiny silicon chip implanted under the retina, paired with glasses that project images onto the chip, allowing patients who have been blind for years to regain the ability to read and recognize faces.
Hodak elaborates on the broader landscape of BCIs, emphasizing that they are not a single product but a category of technologies targeting various applications, from restoring lost senses to potentially enhancing cognitive abilities. He draws parallels between the evolution of BCIs and the development of pharmaceuticals, noting that different modalities—such as electrical stimulation, optogenetics, and biohybrid approaches—will suit different needs. While current implantable BCIs require serious brain surgery and are primarily aimed at severely disabled patients, Hodak envisions a future where risk-benefit calculations shift, making such technologies more appealing to a broader population, especially as people age and experience functional decline.
A significant portion of the conversation delves into neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and learn. Hodak clarifies that while there are critical periods in early development, the adult brain remains far more plastic than commonly believed. This plasticity enables patients to adapt to new sensory inputs from BCIs, as demonstrated by the rapid learning observed in clinical trials. He also discusses fascinating natural case studies, such as conjoined twins who share conscious experiences through a biological connection, suggesting that ultra-high-bandwidth brain-to-brain interfaces could one day enable entirely new forms of communication and shared experience.
Looking ahead, Hodak predicts that within the next decade, BCIs could restore near-normal vision, including color and a wider field of view, and that neural engineering will increasingly complement or even surpass traditional drug discovery in medicine. He describes Science’s multi-pronged approach, which includes not only retinal prostheses but also biohybrid neural interfaces—devices seeded with engineered neurons that can form biological connections with the brain—and innovations in perfusion technology for organ transplantation and critical care. These projects reflect a fundamental shift in how medicine can address sensory loss, organ failure, and even the boundaries of consciousness.
Hodak also shares insights from his personal journey, from programming and biomedical engineering to co-founding Neuralink with Elon Musk. He underscores the importance of high agency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and learning from experienced mentors. Ultimately, he believes that the convergence of artificial intelligence and BCIs will redefine the human condition, offering new ways to restore, enhance, and even merge consciousness. By 2035, Hodak envisions a world where the interface between humans and computers—and between humans themselves—has been radically transformed, opening possibilities that are difficult to imagine today.
