Human brain vs. computer

The widespread use of brain-computer connection technologies will open new insights into human relations.
The widespread use of brain-computer connection technologies will open new insights into human relations.
Research
(11/03/2015)

What similarities and differences are there between a computer and a human brain? Will computers beat human brainʼs processing ability? These are some of the questions posed by Dr Carles Grau Fonollosa, director of the Neurodynamics Laboratory of the University of Barcelona on the lecture “Diàleg entre cervells i ordinadors al segle XXI: telepatia digital”. The activity takes place on Thursday 12 March, at midday, in the Sala de Graus at the Faculty of Psychology.

The widespread use of brain-computer connection technologies will open new insights into human relations.
The widespread use of brain-computer connection technologies will open new insights into human relations.
Research
11/03/2015

What similarities and differences are there between a computer and a human brain? Will computers beat human brainʼs processing ability? These are some of the questions posed by Dr Carles Grau Fonollosa, director of the Neurodynamics Laboratory of the University of Barcelona on the lecture “Diàleg entre cervells i ordinadors al segle XXI: telepatia digital”. The activity takes place on Thursday 12 March, at midday, in the Sala de Graus at the Faculty of Psychology.

Computer processing power has grown exponentially since 1965; it has been doubled every eighteen months. This is Mooreʼs Law. Are there any limits to this growth? Where are they? Will computers be able to simulate abilities which have remained exclusive of the human brain, like consciousness?

Computers with electronic circuits have already been connected in a direct way with brains. Consequently, a brain is now able to control directly a computer or any other machine without needing the motor system; this is named brain-computer interface (BCI). And vice versa: computers can transfer information into a brain in a direct way, without going through the sense organs, this is the computer-brain interaction (CBI). Therefore, a brain and a computer can exchange information by forming hybrid networks between them which allow, for instance, the direct communication between brains situated thousands of kilometres apart, a phenomenon named digital telepathy.

Dr Grauʼs lecture emphasizes that, in a near future, the widespread use of brain-computer connection technologies will open new insights into human relations, with important consequences on our society that will require new legal and ethical regulations.