Workplace brain-machine interfaces: Evaluating worker performance like never before

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 16, 2022

Insight summary

Brain-machine interfaces (BMI) are rapidly transforming how humans interact with technology, enabling control over devices through thought alone. From assisting amputees and those with disabilities to enhancing workplace performance and even allowing for silent communication on the battlefield, BMI's applications are diverse and far-reaching. Alongside these promising developments, the technology also raises complex ethical considerations, including privacy concerns and potential misuse by authoritarian regimes.

Brain-machine interface context

Research is quickly developing ways in which brain-machine interfaces (BMI, sometimes referred to as Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)) can become helpful in the workplace. Using a device that can record and transmit the brain’s electrical activity, the brain-machine interface can allow humans to connect with machinery using their brain waves. Currently, the most common way to interpret the brain’s electrical activity is by using an electroencephalography (EEG) device; this device translates brain waves into machine-readable code that can instruct robots, computers, and networked systems to follow commands thought by a human. 

The early days of BCI have already begun. Amputees are testing robotic limbs controlled directly by the mind, instead of through sensors attached to the wearer's stump. Likewise, people with severe disabilities (such as people with quadriplegia) are now using BMI to steer their motorized wheelchairs and manipulate robotic arms. But helping amputees and persons with disabilities lead more independent lives isn’t the extent of what BMI will be capable of. 

Researchers have found success experimenting with BMI tech that allows human test subjects to use their thoughts to control household functions (lighting, curtains, temperature) and simple machines; to play simple videogames, to convert thoughts to text messages; to convert brainwaves into images, allowing researchers to ‘see’ through the eyes of test subjects; even early attempts at electronic telepathy. Meanwhile, in the context of the workplace, it is now possible to use non-invasive equipment (such as headsets and caps) as a neurofeedback tool to enhance an employee’s performance, specifically around concentration and memory retention. 

Disruptive impact

In the healthcare sector, BMI technology could transform patient care and rehabilitation. For individuals with mobility impairments, BMI systems could enable control over prosthetic limbs or even wheelchairs through thought alone. This trend can enhance the quality of life for many, allowing them to regain independence and engage in activities that were previously challenging or impossible. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers could adopt this technology to provide personalized care, tailoring treatment plans based on real-time brain activity data.

For governments and regulatory bodies, the widespread use of BMI technology presents both opportunities and challenges. The ability to monitor brain activity in various settings could lead to new insights into mental health, education, and workforce productivity. However, this also raises serious ethical considerations around privacy and consent. Governments may need to develop clear guidelines and regulations to protect individual rights while still encouraging the responsible development and application of BMI technology. Balancing these interests will be a complex task, requiring collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.

In education, BMI technology could offer personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's cognitive abilities and learning style. By monitoring brain activity, educators could identify areas where a student may be struggling and provide targeted support. This approach could lead to more efficient learning, reducing the time needed to master new skills or concepts. Furthermore, it could help in identifying and supporting students with learning disabilities early on, ensuring that they receive the necessary resources and attention to succeed in their educational journey. 

Implications of brain-machine interface

Wider implications of BMI technologies may include:

• The development of novel forms of management that adjusts the work assigned to workers based on their mental states in real-time, leading to personalized work schedules and potentially higher job satisfaction.


• Allowing people in high-stress careers to monitor and control their stress levels by optimizing their work environment and prioritizing tasks based on attention span, resulting in improved mental well-being and potentially reducing burnout rates.


• Allowing soldiers to have real-time control of weaponry on the field and silent communication for a strategic advantage, enhancing military efficiency and potentially altering warfare strategies.


• The potential of ever more pervasive control over a population by select authoritarian regimes keen on using BMI to enhance their domestic spying infrastructure, leading to increased surveillance and potential human rights violations.


• The integration of BMI technology into entertainment and gaming industries, allowing for immersive experiences controlled by thought, leading to new business models and consumer engagement strategies.


• The creation of new educational tools that adapt to individual learning patterns through BMI, leading to personalized education and potentially reducing the educational achievement gap.


• The potential for BMI to enable remote control of machinery in hazardous environments, leading to safer working conditions and possibly transforming labor practices in industries such as mining and construction.


• The ethical challenges and potential legal battles surrounding the ownership and use of personal neural data, leading to new regulations and potential shifts in public opinion regarding privacy.


• The possibility of BMI technology to facilitate communication for individuals with speech or language impairments, leading to enhanced social inclusion and community engagement.


• The environmental impact of manufacturing and disposing of BMI devices, leading to a need for sustainable production methods and recycling initiatives.

Questions to consider

• Do you think the use of BMI technology in the workplace can be implemented without impacting worker privacy? 


• What other applications can you suggest for using BMI tech in office and outdoor workplaces?