Artificial Intelligence (AI) is applied frequently to a wide range of programs and apps in various sectors. Researchers have explored the idea of using AI to diagnose and help people with autism to overcome limitations and thrive. Fortunately, AI-based therapies are now in development to help children with ASD.
Musk adds autism spectrum disorder!
Recently, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, discussed his AI technology company Neuralink on the Artificial Intelligence podcast with Lex Fridman. According to him, Neuralink will be able to “solve” schizophrenia and autism.
Previously, Elon Musk has suggested that his AI company could help people with conditions like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, but now he has added autism spectrum disorder into the list as well.
Musk said:
So Neuralink, I think, at first will solve a lot of brain-related diseases. So could be anything from like autism, schizophrenia, memory loss — like everyone experiences memory loss at certain points in age. Parents can’t remember their kids’ names and that kind of thing.
Misunderstanding?
As per a report from Business Insider, autism is considered a developmental disorder and not a brain disease. However, it’s not clear whether Musk misunderstood what autism is since he didn’t elaborate much about it. On top of that, Musk also told that it could be used to solve “critical damage to the brain or the spinal cord”.
According to the National Autistic society:
“Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Autism is a spectrum condition”
Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk, Neuralink is developing the capabilities of the brain through technological augmentation. The company specialising in brain-computer interface (BCI) aims to implant devices in paralyzed humans, allowing them to control phones or computers. Musk said
Musk also added:
Neuralink is intended to address the existential risk associated with digital superintelligence. We will not be able to be smarter than a digital supercomputer, so, therefore, if you cannot beat ’em, join ’em.
However, there are other startups working on neuroscience applications, including Facebook, BitBrain Technologies, NextMind, BIOS, Flow Neuroscience, and more.
Image credit: SpaceX
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