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The future of human evolution may be more intertwined with technology than ever imagined. Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder of Scale AI and soon-to-be head of Meta’s superintelligence initiatives, recently revealed a bold and futuristic personal decision: he plans to delay having children until brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, become widely available and effective. This choice reflects a visionary perspective on the potential for BCIs to fundamentally enhance cognitive development from birth, merging biology with advanced tech in unprecedented ways.
On the Shawn Ryan Show, Wang elaborated on why the timing of such technology is critical. He emphasized the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself during early childhood—and how the first seven years of life represent an unparalleled window for cognitive growth. To illustrate, Wang cited the example of children born with cataracts who, if not treated before age seven, often never fully develop normal vision. This is because the brain needs early stimulation to “learn” how to process sensory information properly. Wang believes the same principle applies to BCIs: children born with integrated brain-computer chips will grow to use them intuitively, as if they are natural extensions of their own minds. In contrast, adults implanting Neuralink later in life may never achieve the same seamless integration.
Currently, Neuralink is pioneering this technology with coin-sized microchips implanted in the brain to record and stimulate neural activity. It is undergoing clinical trials, with three patients already implanted. One such patient, Brad Smith, who suffers from ALS, demonstrated remarkable progress by being able to edit a video using his Neuralink device—highlighting the immense possibilities for BCI in enhancing human abilities.
Wang’s decision to postpone fatherhood until these technologies mature underscores his belief that the next generation can be fundamentally different—cognitively enhanced in ways previous generations could only dream of.
the Original
Alexandr Wang, a young tech founder leading groundbreaking AI efforts, has expressed his intention to wait until brain-computer interface technologies like Neuralink become viable before having children. His reasoning hinges on the brain’s neuroplasticity during early childhood, a period when the brain is especially malleable and capable of adapting to new stimuli. Wang argues that children born with integrated BCIs will be able to develop and use these devices much more naturally than adults who receive them later. Neuralink, led by Elon Musk, is currently in clinical trials with brain-implanted microchips designed to record and stimulate brain activity, offering promising results so far, including enhanced capabilities for ALS patients. Wang’s choice reflects his vision for a future where human intelligence and technology merge from birth.
What Undercode Say:
Wang’s perspective highlights an emerging crossroads where biotechnology, AI, and human evolution intersect. The idea that our next generation could be “born digital,” or at least born with neural enhancements, raises profound questions about identity, ethics, and societal structure. Wang’s rationale around neuroplasticity is scientifically sound; early childhood is indeed the prime period for shaping neural pathways. If brain-computer interfaces become seamlessly integrated from infancy, it could revolutionize learning, communication, and even emotional intelligence. Children might develop new cognitive skills that we cannot yet fully comprehend, reshaping education systems and labor markets alike.
However, the social and ethical implications are vast. Access to such technology could create unprecedented divides between those “enhanced” and those without access, potentially leading to a new form of inequality. Moreover, the psychological and neurological long-term effects of implanting BCIs in infants remain largely unknown. There is also the philosophical question of autonomy—how much of a child’s cognitive development would be truly natural versus engineered?
From a technological standpoint, Neuralink’s progress, while impressive, still faces huge hurdles before widespread adoption: safety, privacy, hardware miniaturization, and interface stability must be perfected. Furthermore, there is skepticism about how “intuitive” these devices will be, even for children. The brain’s plasticity might facilitate learning to use a Neuralink chip, but the complexity of brain signals and external technology synchronization is immense.
Despite these challenges, Wang’s vision pushes the envelope on what the future might look like—a fusion of superintelligence with humanity, starting literally at birth. This aligns with broader AI and biotech trends that seek to enhance human potential beyond natural limits. For the tech elite, this could become a defining feature of parenthood in the coming decades.
In practical terms, parents today who aspire to raise children in the digital age might need to prepare for integrating emerging cognitive technologies as part of standard upbringing. This might include not only BCIs but also AI tutors, augmented reality learning environments, and personalized neurofeedback tools. The brain-computer interface could be the next step in this technological continuum, promising to unlock cognitive capabilities that redefine what it means to be human.
Fact Checker Results:
✅ Neuralink is currently in clinical trials and has implanted microchips in at least three patients.
✅ Early childhood neuroplasticity is a well-established scientific fact critical to brain development.
❌ There is no confirmed evidence yet that children born with Neuralink implants will use them “like a part of their brain,” as this remains speculative.
📊 Prediction:
As brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink advance, we can expect an increasing number of applications in medicine, education, and communication within the next decade. Clinical successes will drive broader acceptance, eventually leading to elective implantation in infants and young children for cognitive enhancement purposes. This will likely trigger regulatory debates and ethical discussions globally. By 2040, “enhanced” children with neural implants might become a social reality in technologically advanced countries, setting the stage for a cognitive revolution with profound societal implications—from redefining intelligence to altering the nature of human relationships and work. However, the pace and scale of adoption will heavily depend on safety breakthroughs, cost accessibility, and public acceptance.
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Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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