A Powerful New Neurotech Tool for Augmenting Your Mind | Conor Russomanno | TED

In an astonishing talk and tech demo, neurotechnologist Conor Russomanno shares his work building brain-computer interfaces that could enable us to control the external world with our minds. He discusses the quickly advancing possibilities of this field -- including the promise of a "closed-loop system" that could both record and stimulate brain activity -- and invites neurohacker Christian Bayerlein onto the TED stage to fly a mind-controlled drone by using a biosensing headset.
If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas: ted.com/membership
Follow TED!
Twitter: / tedtalks
Instagram: / ted
Facebook: / ted
LinkedIn: / ted-conferences
TikTok: / tedtoks
The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world's leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design - plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
Watch more: go.ted.com/conorrussomanno
• A Powerful New Neurote...
TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (or the CC BY - NC - ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: www.ted.com/about/our-organiz.... For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at media-requests.ted.com
#TED #TEDTalks #neurotech

[@cbayerlein]

I am beyond grateful for the incredible experience of delivering a TED talk and having it released online this week. Rolling onto the TED stage was a dream come true, and I am still filled with awe and gratitude for the opportunity to share my ideas with such a diverse and engaged audience. The TED platform has allowed me to reach people from all corners of the world, and I am humbled by the positive feedback and thoughtful discussions that have ensued. It has been a privilege to be part of a global community that values ideas worth spreading and strives to make a positive impact on our world. I want to express my deepest appreciation to the entire TED team for their unwavering support, guidance, and dedication to amplifying voices and ideas that can spark change. The entire process, from preparing the talk to the moment of stepping onto the stage, was a journey of personal growth and profound inspiration. To the viewers who have watched and engaged with my TED talk, thank you for your time and attention. Your curiosity and willingness to explore new perspectives are what make the TED community so vibrant and transformative. I am honored to have been able to share my story and ideas with you. Finally, I want to acknowledge the incredible individuals who have played a significant role in shaping my journey and making this TED talk possible. Your support, encouragement, and belief in me have been invaluable, and I am forever grateful for your presence in my life. I look forward to continuing the conversation, collaborating with like-minded individuals, and collectively striving for a better future. Let's keep exploring, learning, and challenging the status quo together.

[@invox9490]

This comment deserves to be pinned. Cheers my good man.

[@pecan11]

Excellent presentation am sharing with some techie friends

[@GauBongVoi]

❤

[@GauBongVoi]

Q❤❤

[@GauBongVoi]

❤

[@LenHernandez]

wow. love when we, as humans, work so hard to better each other rather than to destroy.

[@Raulikien]

Now imagine if it was always like that, what we could achieve... hopefully someday

[@MJK87]

None of this sounds good at all.

[@GarviHere]

​@@MJK87 🤫

[@maxbrych7354]

totally agree

[@mr.ch4rli3_]

Why dont we vote them as leaders? Honestly there's more of us than there is of them

[@heyyounotyouyou3761]

It's amazing how such powerful technology is getting open sourced.

[@jalanmcrae]

😂🤫 Let the fun begin

[@tiktoklegend1286]

@@jalanmcraego watch ghost in the shell

[@IIISentorIII]

*not sure if stupid or genius*

[@1err3]

@@IIISentorIII genius, something like this should be open source

[@emmasmith9763]

I am so so SO proud of you Conor! It is amazing to see how far you’ve come and the impact you’ve had on so many people. love you lots big bro ❤

[@TheVerendus]

This tech is huge. I saw a video recently of someone using brainwave patterns to control their Elden Ring character, and it's amazing to see similar technology being applied in other real life scenarios. Things like this will be the cure for neurodegenerative diseases and more in the future.

[@kvazau8444]

i made exactly this setup in a project in uni back in 2015. it's disturbing that nobody cared then but everyone is going nuts for BCIs now. the tech has not really improved

[@jasongunzer272]

This is amazing technology, it could make so many things that are not possible for disabled people like me possible again! From driving a wheelchair to playing video games to advanced computer work! Kudos to Connor for making it open source, a great display of humanity.

[@ThomasBryant]

I dunno about you.... but greater than or equal to this achievement in Tech and Neuro development, was the intense compassion and support Conor and his team had for Christian and those held back by the lack of accessibility. You could FEEL the reasoning behind such enormous and important research ... and that is what makes the Human Race still so special and miraculous.

[@OpenBCI-official]

Thank you 🙏

[@hi5all]

This is a big milestone in humanity. Now, we see that a person is not his physical performance, IQ test, Emotional Intelligence. we are deeper than that. Conor calls it Consciousness. I call it Soul. I am digging deep to come up with something. So proud of you Chris, about your attitude about life= happiness. 😇😇

[@peterbelanger4094]

This is the beginning of a technocratic horror show we may never escape from. This will lead to bad things and tyranny like you can't comprehend.

[@siqck]

​@@peterbelanger4094 "It's easy if you try~" - John Lennon

[@DreamseedVR]

​@@peterbelanger4094They are too distracted by this fake compassion story, To see the reality barreling down the pipeline

[@philosophyman]

​@@peterbelanger4094technology has always brought freedom. This will be no different.

[@xsweetx6]

if the "soul" was material, we would have evidence of it by now. so it's okay if you call it Consciousness

[@pilotreg]

i find it awesome that theyre developing this tech and are sending a good message, the fact its open source is enough you need to know. my only concern about living in a world where everything collects your data is that we now have algorithms that break it down to the point they know us better than we know ourselves.

[@logan2113]

Not to worry. One of the issues with wearable tech is that it's limited to input and output, no matter how sophisticated the AI. We will always understand ourselves better, we have infinite context and the ability to understand novel situations. But it's cool that we can add layers to it with tech!

[@pilotreg]

@@logan2113 im going to have to somewhat disagree with this one, more data is being collected from you than you think and with current algorithms neuralink wouldn't be necessary to find your deepest secrets. besides, we barely know ourselves nowadays.

[@deadwingdomain]

It's all bad data. They dont know me. I always give bad input to robots.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Nope. My algorithm doesn’t know me at all. It’s pretty lame & disappointing.

[@pilotreg]

@@marsoblivi0n945 what algorithm are you talking about ?

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

Astounding ! Tears of joy, amazement, wonder. An exemplary example of what our mind can conceive we can achieve. Best wishes, health, joy, wellbeing, progress.., thank you 🤸🏽‍♂️ 🖖🏽

[@peterbelanger4094]

It starts all nice and philanthropic to get us softened up, then eventually we are all part of a Borg collective. Welcome to the end of humanity.

[@WORLD_WIDE_OFFICIAL_]

Technologies that allow direct communication between the brain and computers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with potential applications in healthcare and communication.

[@JeeliBeeli]

Wow, you can tell Conor really cares about his work. One of the best Ted Talks I've seen.

[@paternyao]

This is one of the most amazing most useful tech I have ever seen. And Open Source? Gonna have a look at that! Congratulations to the team 👏

[@Majorfarter]

Connor Russamano you are the guy that should be leading the tech industry in the new age your view on what A.I. should be in it’s positive light is a foundation for a bright future. Remember it will get worst before it gets better we just don’t know what the worst is and we’re in the middle of it right now so hold tight and persevere and time will bring the positive this is a spark right here people. HATS OFF!

[@oryxchannel]

Neuro visualization/BCI nerd here. Always looking for fresh braaaaaains. Thank you very much for Christian...for you.

[@cbayerlein]

Thank you so much for the compliment ❤

[@ranjoo12]

Christian ❤ you have a heart of gold . It was amazing listening to both Connor and Christian .

[@cbayerlein]

Thank you so much for the compliment ❤

[@chrisdown2591]

AWESOME! This is where technology should be heading! Thank you!

[@emorysmith197]

This is awesome!!! So excited for this new direction of advance

[@sebastianwilcox3745]

It's times like this that give me hope for humanity and I gave up on that years ago. Thank you for being aware.

[@MrAveryBrown94]

An amazing TedTalk. Laced with compassion, innovation and empathy! Thank you Conor, and Christian, for pushing this conversation forward in ways that will impact people where life exists. 💟

[@ShadowNoCap]

Pray for discernment

[@leonardigweokolo2813]

Wow!!! What a vision, we can't wait to have tech like this in mass.

[@wynbock]

Y'all have big hearts! Thank you for this stratospheric accomplishment! Mobility is priceless!' O'course, y'all know, be wary. Mayhap when next you peer at it, for any reason, it will have been claimed & patents applied to it for eternity. Thank you for this beautiful, wonderful, fantastic gift! 11:42AM 06/29/2023.

[@hydrojedi]

Bravo! Very thoughtful, kind and inspiring!

[@4.30gangCorpofficial]

The ted system is so good.Thanks TED

[@MrRolex187]

I’m so happy for both of them wow what a achievement

[@twirlyspitzer]

This is the perfect answer to the question of how to jumpstart BCI through noninvasive tech while we work out the details of the fully invasive range of techniques.

[@indrakominfo3680]

I am so stunned watching the demo. Impossible is actually I'm possible. TEchnology that many people especially with cerebral palsy is mostly needed. Physical Disability is not barrier to move forward, to do what others can also do and to live a useful and meaningful life.

[@user-du2of3lh1g]

Can't wait to see this in action!!

[@Infectd]

We are living through some amazing times. I cannot wait to see what people come up with in the next few years focused on helping those that are truly marginalized and disadvantaged, the handicap/disabled population.

[@anselmorosa]

Amazing! This was beautiful

[@mephesh]

Great TED talk, impressive

[@Mon22king]

Amazing closing speech as well!

[@mattgaming8717]

Your homie, is looking down on your work with pride. Your doing some big things. This was an awesome clip. I believe in this tech.

[@ShawnChristopher10101]

I want to see something like this team up with Boston Dynamics and give people with accessibility issues a means to explore the world via avatars.

[@pictzone]

Wow

That's actually a great idea

[@Craig_Samuel]

Exactly

[@matic1265]

@ thats a kinda obvious step

[@MSaleh-vy8rr]

literally like the movie "Surrogates" with Bruce Willis

[@BlackbodyEconomics]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@thedarkknight1971]

👌👏👏👏 BRAVO to the whole team.. I can see that this could help with driving robotic systems to within the home allowing those that are sadly 'Stuck' within their own bodies be able to do more independently within the home and outside. Having assisted someone who developed MS I understand what even just the basic abilities can do to improve the daily lives of someone who has no control over their limbs.. Help with controlling cleaning robots, drink conveyors and more? SURE! Mobility? HECK YEAH... THIS are just the early steps!!! Nice one! 👏👏👏 😎🇬🇧

[@ironthornkoncepts]

Beautiful & intriguing! The movies "Surrogates" and of course "The Matrix" come to mind... Total encapsulation of human sensations for either help or harm. So much potential for positive or negative use. While I hope for the positive, I in equal measure brace for the negative. Thanx to Christian and Conner both... Thanx 4 sharing and I'll keep watching. ✌️😎👍

[@iwikongzilla2942]

So incredibly impressive and inspiring!

[@invox9490]

About 10 years ago, also on Ted, I saw someone control a computer with just it's brain. This is another step forward. We are slowly getting to the stage where human surrogates that will help us explore new worlds, but specialy, improve the lives of many with this (or similar) brain/physical disorders.. And I hope that day comes sooner rather than later.

[@WORLD_WIDE_OFFICIAL_]

Technologies that allow direct communication between the brain and computers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with potential applications in healthcare and communication.

[@nellkellino-miller7673]

This is so profoundly groundbreaking it's actually shocking to see it in my lifetime. I'm terrified. Here we go!

[@oktokt]

Incredible. OSS and OSH, let's goooo!

[@EllasaToD]

Wow. When he said "we are going to open-source it", I got the chills. Today I love humans.

[@Pawsandthenclaws]

Unbelievable. I cried. It's beautiful!

[@seekinsoulz693]

Amazing. Open source it all. It's the best way for us to move forward. Not for profit. For humanity.

[@yodad4776]

Amazing stuff u guys are incredible

[@LordBikealot]

Here here! Excellent 👍

[@tomasrosenberg3430]

This is truly beautiful!

[@kinsmed]

This feels like just the beginning.

[@kushsheth8772]

wow, keep developing and honing and researching this novel technological solution I loved the ending speech! And to make all the code open source so other engineers, technologists and students of the field can contribute their own projects is truly amazing of you to offer, kudos! Congratulations 👏 💐

[@flamecranium2880]

Awesome, just incredible.

[@BlazinTre]

It's good to see that Amos is using his experience out in space to help those in need.

[@HtooShee-wj8ug]

This straight out of science fiction movies, that is incredible!

[@mj200]

One of the greatest ever TED talks?

[@antindie]

This is incredibly powerful technology. Let's hope the monopolistic ad-dystopian market forces we so strongly believe in don't accidentally create a proper dystopia for us. The trend is not positive at the moment.

[@Vysair]

Maybe we can achieve a utopia with a slight dystopian aspect after the fall of late stage capitalism of our era

[@shoshannafachima1306]

Extraordinary.their is infinite potential in this tecnology

[@Jay-Dub-Ay]

It's important to note that neuro-modulation techniques, such as negative feedback systems and electromagnetic frequency modulation, are areas of ongoing research and development. While there may be potential benefits, it's crucial to prioritize safety and ethical considerations during the implementation of such technologies. Rigorous testing and regulation are necessary to minimize risks and ensure any potential adverse effects are thoroughly evaluated. As our understanding of these techniques evolves, it's essential to proceed with caution and adhere to established guidelines, ethical standards, common sense, and personal responsibilities.

[@tanzimshowmic8207]

I figured TED was getting a little but this realy sparked my interest.

[@TruFire710]

This is just brilliant.

[@XenobiaF]

Ingenious!

[@cloudcyclone]

Really amazing!

[@TheJegan94]

Nerve gear and full-dive tech right around the corner

[@motivizer5395]

Wooww this is an amazing devdevelopment ❤️

[@WaniaTahir_Songs]

Informative as always ! 👍👍👍

[@readyplayersid]

A brain-controlled Mini 3 Pro! What a talk :)

[@ikikereport]

The minute I heard the phrase Open Source, I knew that this would be an even more meaningful story. We have undervalued the power of open source for too long, knowledge should not be hoarded in libraries that no one visits, or on platforms no one knows exists or has the means to meaningfully access. We need to support this counter culture not because it's fashionable but because there are tonnes of talented people in the world who can't afford what it costs to use tools they need to build a career. Which impoverishes them and their output in the world. Making software, tech and ideas open source and accessible will push innovation forward as we have already seen in the blockchain and AI space. Tech has been a strong example of the power of information sharing and global community. We just need to back the side that's trying to promote growth for all and not the side that is promoting growth for itself.

[@tcaDNAp]

Nice, a biohacker company that actually respects accessibility! I'm gonna go follow C. Bayerlein everywhere

[@emorysmith197]

Inspiring!

[@KWifler]

I think that the future of control neurointerfacing should be in null motor control. Basically it is the control of an imagined extra limb. The brain is capable of sending signals to essentially nowhere. To set up the control, all you have to do is develop a concept of the imagined part. I've done this in dreams several times myself. People using VR have also demonstrated the ability to develop imaginary sensory feedback as well. Basically feeling things that aren't there.

[@pictzone]

This is a genius idea.

[@momentary_]

Basically, you're creating phantom limbs, but on purpose.

[@Xanderman]

Funny, Just saw a guy developing 4 extra arms that extended from a backpack interfacing with his mind. Doc Oc style.

[@MagicPlants]

so much respect

[@abundantharmony]

02:01 This guy knows things. Refresh Tears are the best eyedrops for sure.

[@frankhammond3762]

this deserves more views than it has received at this point.

[@rhosoojin191]

Amazing! 👍

[@flufflepimp2090]

Awesome! Also What kind of props are you using?!?! Those are so silent

[@Mr.MuzammilKK]

Really appreciate ❤

[@bkritika77]

We are with you 😎🤧😊

[@SRILANKANCHRISTIAN]

Love this

[@tinycatmakfat]

Dude wow. I can't believe it from no internet to this in such a short time.

[@dgfilms1712]

Christian!!!! Wheeew!!! You ROCK! SEND THAT DRONE OVER NY WITH YOUR MIND

[@cbayerlein]

Thank you so much for the compliment ❤

[@markgardner2959]

Full suit and training shoes, the new sandals with socks look, nice!

[@NiSoKai]

This struck me with awe and brought me to tears. As excited for this technology as I am, the implications to our future cannot go undermined. Please read Ready Player Two for a synopsis of how bad this can go. Yet, I remain optimistic and excited for future developments. We're all going to die someday, anyway.

[@andalonds]

This is amazing

[@StaticFPV]

Incredible

[@jerryspringer6096]

That's so cool!

[@BlackClaws]

This is thrilling, innovative and potentially world changing. That said, I am tired, I am getting older, I have never felt like I belong in the world I am in... let me know when you can shift the mind completely into a new reality. I want to full dive and ideally... never come back.

[@ezeofarpg]

like i said in all the comment section , full dive will be fully developed within 2029 that i am sure mr@blackclaws

[@matusa6714]

Sometimes I forget how amazing human beings can be.

[@jimcano3998]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 game changer!

[@ryanburks2480]

Thank you Christian

[@deardaughter]

Good job.

[@TheeSlickShady]

I hope this video garners attention from the right investors and like-minded tech companies to collaborate and further develop this incredible technology

[@daryl547]

Where’s the open source program link?

[@shahfaisal3923]

Great people. Love from Afghanistan.

[@Volhybo1t]

I have had three concussions, it can get hard out there, I can only pray that this technology breaks through.

[@TheMartinFamily2000]

this was one of the most profound things ive seen in my life!!!, im happy to be alive for this. if good people with good ethical standards and healthy intientions win the AI race were going to make a paradise for humanuty!🎉🎉.

[@arthurschildgen5522]

The possibilities are cool and all, but what he was saying about changing content to personally match each person's brain and produce the wanted effects there is kind of terrifying.

[@Floppa221]

as long as there are guardrails and testing in place to make sure that doesn't happen to human subjects

[@arthurschildgen5522]

@@Floppa221 He was explicitly talking about applications made for humans.

[@jamjam3448]

Thanks ☺️ 🎉

[@jamess.931]

Thats aweomse, I also want to know what drone that is? It looks like a chopped up DJI mini 3

[@Mon22king]

Pretty cool, especially since you are open-sourcing this.

[@009AZZA009]

Technological progress brings me joy, how people use that technology is another story... Like AI this has enormous benefits but it all depends on how people use it. I hope to not live into an era of AI-Augmented psychopaths supressing all kinds of emotions and traumas that they should've dealt with maturely. Tbh facing repetitive moments of anxiety and despair turned me into a resourceful adult that doesn't get hurt that easily with serious situations and that doesn't make "storms in a glass of water".

[@DINaltGOA]

amazing

[@robbiev9296]

And so, another step towards aspiring to the purity of the blessed machine and becoming closer to the omnissiah is made

[@bespokeprogramming]

Respect.