Brain-Computer Tech Set to Soar in China Within 3-5 Years
A leading BCI expert stated that China could witness the practical public use of brain-computer interface technology within three to five years as products continue to mature, highlighting Beijing’s efforts to keep pace with US startups, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Beijing has designated BCIs as a central future strategic industry in its newly released five-year plan, positioning it alongside key sectors such as quantum technology, embodied AI, 6G, and nuclear fusion. New policies will not bring about immediate change. “I think after another three to five years, we will gradually see some products moving towards actual practical service for the public,” said Yao Dezhong, in an interview on Saturday on the sidelines of China’s annual parliament meetings in Beijing.
A national BCI development strategy released last year outlines ambitious goals for significant technical breakthroughs by 2027, with the objective of cultivating two or three world-class firms in China by 2030. China has become the second nation to initiate invasive BCI human trials. Over 10 trials are currently underway, aligning with the US, as scientists prepare to enroll over 50 patients across the nation this year. Recent high-profile trials have allowed paralysed patients and amputees to regain partial mobility and operate robotic hands or intelligent wheelchairs. The government has already integrated some BCI treatments into national medical insurance in a few pilot provinces, and the domestic market is projected to reach 5.58 billion yuan ($809 million) by 2027, according to CCID Consulting.
“China has many advantages in BCIs, such as its huge population, enormous patient demand, cost-effective industrial chain and abundant pool of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) talent,” said Yao. Policies like insurance integration and national standards seek to bridge the “huge” gap between scientific research, industry, and clinical applications, he stated. “The path from experimental to clinical trials is quite long, and this remains a problem,” he told, adding that many Chinese hospitals have established BCI research labs to speed up the process. In contrast to US startups such as Neuralink, which are concentrating on invasive chips that penetrate brain tissue, Chinese researchers are exploring a range of brain-computer interfaces that include invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive options, showcasing a broader potential for clinical applications.
Semi-invasive BCIs, positioned on the brain’s surface, might experience a decline in signal quality; however, they mitigate risks like tissue damage and various post-surgery complications. Neuralink’s surgical robot is capable of inserting hundreds of electrodes into the brain within a matter of minutes. “This is a technical advantage, which I think is remarkable,” said Yao. China is currently making rapid advancements in this area. “In fact, Musk’s direction is fundamentally attainable within the country.”
