Brain-computer interfaces are revolutionary technology which depending on evolutionary trajectory could change what it means to be human. The first iteration of this technology will likely be for people who are trapped inside their body with no means of communicating (Miller, 2015). This technology will also have vast implications once it is perfected but one of the major issues which will in my opinion prevent mass adoption of the BCI is the fact that most BCI being discussed is invasive. Non-invasive BCI on the other hand such as some sort of helmet or similar could on the other hand become mass adopted in our lifetime.
DARPA's Neural Engineering System Design is a program working on enhancing the neural interface for the BCI.
Shepard believes that achieving the requisite scale for NESD is possible only if his team exploits the full capabilities of leading-edge CMOS technology, together with the industry's associated manufacturing capabilities, and uses monolithic integration of stimulation/recording electrodes with an underlying CMOS electronics platform.
The implanted chips are ultra-conformable to the brain surface, very light, and flexible enough to move with the tissue. The chip does not penetrate the brain tissue and uses wireless powering and data telemetry.
Suppose BCI and blockchains are both mainstream 10 years from now? How might they interact in beneficial (non-oppressive) ways?
References
Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. (2017, July 10). Brain-computer interfaces revolutionized using silicon electronics. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 22, 2017 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170710123119.htm
Miller, L. (2015). Trapped In His Body For 12 Years, A Man Breaks Free. Wyoming Public Radio: All things considered.