Through the study of the brain-computer interface, Dr. Shriki has moved the study of, and treatment for, those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (frequently referred to as Lou Gherig’s Disease or ALS) forward by leaps and bounds through the BCI4ALS Course, which develops personalized brain-computer interfaces for those with ALS. With his company, NeuroHelp, he is creating a wearable system for epileptic seizure prediction.
Yet some people worry about a future where such technology exists and the ethics of its existence.
If we can create a system that improves the quality of life for those with ALS by providing an avenue through which individuals can communicate beyond what would be available without such a system, are we asking these individuals to give up the sanctity and privacy of thought? What is being given up by having a system that can predict epileptic seizures, allowing sufferers to remove themselves from harms way before a seizure occurs?
Can those with such life changing, quality of life improving, systems be manipulated through programming? Are these- and many other dilemmas- worth the risk?
Where does such a system fit into the mainstream world? With the metaverse growing exponentially, the reality of our human existence is being called in to question more and more frequently.
Dr. Shriki could be understood as being an architect on the frontier of a brave new world.
We are living in a time where scientists are rapidly proving how technology can improve our lives- from the iPhone to the systems that are allowing those with ALS to communicate, those with epilepsy to be alerted- what is next? What other life changing technologies are on the horizon?
Please join us in conversation with Dr. Shriki as we discuss the fascinating realm of the brain-computer interface- where it has been and where it is going; how this can help and where we should have concerns. Moderated by Roy Vella, we will be discussing this and the other incredible projects that he is working on in his lab and the Ben-Gurion University on Wednesday, November 16th.
