NEWS FROM THE FUTURE: Transforming the field of neuroscience

Dateline: May 27 2033 

Researchers at the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre will shortly begin human clinical trials of the approach and technology they hope will spell the end of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

The approach combines 3D printing with nanotechnology, gene therapy, and CRISPR technology to produce and deliver functional neurons to the damaged areas of the brain. 

The research, led by Dr Megan Stables, was hugely successful in rats and mice, and human trials are scheduled to start in June. “This could transform the field of neuroscience and we are excited to kick off the next phase of trials,” Stables said.  

“We 3D print custom-designed scaffolds that mimic the structure of the brain, which are then seeded with engineered cells to replace damaged neurons,” she explains. “Gene therapy and CRISPR technology are then used to modify the cells before implantation to ensure they have the correct genetic profile and express the appropriate genes to promote the formation of functional neuronal networks.

Nanotechnology delivers the neurons, drugs, and other therapeutic agents to the injury site to promote healing and prevent further damage.” 

While the potential benefits of this technology for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia are clear, there are also broader implications for medicine and beyond. The ability to 3D print custom-engineered cells and tissues could revolutionise the way we approach regenerative medicine and the treatment of a wide range of diseases, injuries and disabilities. 

As we continue to advance the science of 3D and 4D printing and regenerative medicine, we can expect to see more breakthroughs such as this one, with the potential to change the face of healthcare and improve the lives of millions of people around the world. 

• First published on Mindbullets May 18 2023 

AI is augmented intelligence 

That wunderkind has got a chip in her head 

Dateline: June 12 2029 

We used to think of AI as artificial intelligence, but that’s an old concept. Now we use it to mean augmented intelligence; natural human intelligence augmented with bioelectronics wizardry. 

The average human brain has a working memory of seven items, plus or minus two. That means we can, on average, remember seven things at once; the more gifted can handle about nine. Thinking about an upgrade? 

Now you can install the latest neuroprosthetic from CognitionUP and get a working memory of 20. That puts you up at the super genius level. The chip is the size of a grain of rice, and connects into your brain with 3D-printed carbon neurofibres. 

Of course, not everyone wants brain surgery to become super intelligent, but AI has been a blessing for people suffering from the after-effects of stroke, traumatic accidents and congenital diseases. Their lives have been returned to normal, or better. 

The problem comes in with elective upgrades, which are not strictly necessary. Now people of average intelligence are jumping up the evolutionary ladder, if they have the cash and the appetite for invasive surgery. Billionaires are buying CognitionUP for their child prodigies, widening the gap. 

“What happens when the richest among us can buy more smarts?” asked neuroscientist Vivienne Ming more than a decade ago. “Will we even recognise them as fellow humans?” 

Regulators have sprang into action, drafting a series of bills designed to restrict the use of AI in “normal” people. But who’s to say what’s normal these days? The laws leave too many loopholes to be enforced, and China has a host of specialist surgeons with long waiting lists. 

Meeting someone with AI is a bit disconcerting, but they’re easy to discover. They are so bright, they just can’t hold a conversation with us normal people. And they’ve got a chip in their head. 

• First published on Mindbullets 28 May 2015

Despite appearances to the contrary, Futureworld cannot and does not predict the future. The Mindbullets scenarios are fictitious and designed purely to explore possible futures, and challenge and stimulate strategic thinking.