Can holding memory in a chip and transferring it to another human brain or robot be practical?
- Yes, preserving memories and valuable information through this approach ensures they are not lost when individuals pass away, allowing for their potential future use
- Maybe, while digital memory may be beneficial for individuals with conditions such as epilepsy, dementia, and Alzheimer's, there is a potential downside to consider. Overreliance on these could lead to a decreased reliance on one's memory
- No, the idea of saving, replaying, and downloading memories into humans or robot bodies is purely science fiction and not based on scientific evidence or research
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According to Elon Musk, the future may bring a world where memories can be saved, replayed, and even downloaded into new or robot bodies. This idea was proposed during a Neuralink presentation in 2020, where Musk’s brain-computer interface company sought approval to begin human clinical trials in 2023, with the first chip implantation in a human brain expected within six months. While such claims seem like science fiction, they could have ethical implications for personal autonomy.
As it is, some neuroscientists believe that our increasing dependence on technology is already eroding our ability to remember, leading to what is being called “digital amnesia.” By outsourcing simple tasks to our devices and constantly multitasking on our smartphones, we distract ourselves from the present moment, ultimately impairing our ability to retain information. While technology offers convenience, it comes at a price.
In 2018, researchers restored memory function in people with epilepsy using electrical stimulation, also known as a memory prosthesis. They recorded the formation of a memory in an entire brain region and used it as a template to determine what the damaged part of the brain should be doing to encode new memories. Electrodes were then used to stimulate this damaged region and restore normal functioning. This breakthrough shows that technology can enhance memory function but also raises questions about the ethical implications of manipulating memories.
Reference: https://medtigo.com/news/the-ethics-behind-neuralinks-mind-uploading-plans/
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