Invention of the first system enabling human brain-to-brain communication... electromagnetically!
Researchers at the U.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have achieved a breakthrough in human communication, having developed and refined a new system that enables the electromagnetic transmission of information between the brains of multiple individuals without the use of speech, writing, or physical gestures. The researchers named the new system “BrainNet,” marking the first multi-person direct brain interface designed to solve problems collaboratively.
This development follows years of research in brain-computer interfaces, which previously focused on linking a single individual to a computer. BrainNet represents a significant leap toward direct group communication between brains. The electromagnetic system integrates two pioneering brain-computer interface technologies:
• Electroencephalography (EEG): Uses electrodes placed on the scalp to detect brain electrical activity, enabling the system to recognize specific patterns associated with a person’s decisions. This non-invasive and safe technique has been widely used in neuroscience research and prosthetic control applications.
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Transmits information to another person’s brain via external magnetic stimulation, without requiring any implanted devices. It generates a magnetic field that stimulates specific brain regions, allowing sensory information to be conveyed without surgical intervention.
In the team’s experiment, two participants acted as “senders” and a third as a “receiver.” The senders watched a Tetris-like game and made decisions about whether to rotate a falling piece. Their decisions were transmitted online to the receiver’s brain via magnetic stimulation of the visual cortex at the back of the head, enabling the receiver to make the final decision. Results showed that the system achieved high accuracy in information transmission and collective decision-making, confirming its potential for practical applications.
The researchers clarified that the system did not allow participants to read full thoughts or hear sentences inside each other’s minds; rather, it was designed to transmit very limited information related to a specific task. Nevertheless, this achievement represents significant progress, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating signals from multiple brains to reach a collective decision. This opens new avenues for communication in various fields, including remote education and operations requiring high levels of team coordination, such as rescue missions or drone control.
In 2015, researchers demonstrated the possibility of linking two individuals via a brain interface, but the next challenge was determining whether multiple brains could be connected within a single system. The new results confirm that this is possible, paving the way for practical applications that could transform the concept of human communication in the future. These applications are expected to require years of research and development before becoming available for general use, although the theoretical potential is immense.
Potential applications of this technology include assisting individuals with paralysis or locked-in syndrome in communicating with others, as well as applications in virtual and augmented reality where people can interact without traditional media. It may also find use in military and security contexts, enabling teams to coordinate silently without using detectable communication devices.
On the other hand, the development has raised ethical concerns regarding privacy and the potential for misuse of the technology, prompting researchers to emphasize that the system is currently extremely limited in its capabilities and does not allow for mind-reading or interference with individuals’ mental autonomy. They have called for the establishment of clear regulatory and ethical frameworks prior to any widespread application of this technology, to ensure its responsible use and respect for human dignity and individual privacy.
