Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)) have seen rapid progress in recent yearsBCIIt has made breakthrough progress globally and has thus become one of the most notable frontier technologies.7month1On the same day, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the 'Preparatory Plan for the Establishment of the Brain-Computer Interface Standardization Technical Committee' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Plan'). What impact will this document have on the current development of brain-computer interface technology and applications in China?
Frost & SullivanFrost & Sullivan,Zhou Mingzi, Executive Director of Frost & Sullivan Greater China, was interviewed by Huaxia Times to discuss the future development of brain-computer interfaces in China.
Huaxia Times
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Q: The 'Preparatory Plan for the Establishment of the Brain-Computer Interface Standardization Technical Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Plan'). What impact will this document have on the current development of brain-computer interface technology and applications in China?
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a new type of cross-disciplinary technology that creates information channels between the brain and external devices to achieve direct information exchange between them. BCI technology is a frontier and disruptive technology that breaks through and expands the boundaries between humans, machines, and objects, integrating advanced theories and cutting-edge technologies from multiple fields such as brain science and artificial intelligence. As a transformative human-computer interaction technology, BCI is becoming an industry that major global powers are competing to layout in the future, representing the high ground of new productive forces. In terms of application prospects, BCI currently shows great potential in the medical field, providing new treatment and rehabilitation methods for patients with diseases such as lower limb rehabilitation, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. At the same time,VR/ARThere is potential for commercial applications in gaming entertainment, educational technology, home intelligence, and more.
Looking globally, major countries have made top-level strategic arrangements for brain science, brain-computer interfaces, and more.2013year4The Obama administration announced the "Brain Project," the European Commission2013year10Monthly launch of the "Human Brain Project," Japan2014year6Monthly startup brain/Thinking plan. Our country in2016In 2017, the China Brain Project was launched with the goal of15During the year, internationally leading achievements were made in three frontier areas: brain science, early diagnosis and intervention of brain diseases, and brain-inspired intelligent devices. Brain science and brain-inspired research were included under 'Technological Innovation' in the 13th Five-Year National Science and Technology Innovation Plan.2030In major projects, the main body of brain science development and auxiliary development areas are clearly defined. The strategic importance of cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum information, life and health sciences, and brain science is also clearly stated in the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan.2024During the National Two Sessions, brain-computer interfaces, as a newThe important representatives of productivity, as well as key emerging and future industries, have become hot technical fields of focus.
With the high attention paid to top-level design in our country, how to effectively promote technological progress and innovation in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), as well as steadily and standardly advance the industrial development of BCIs, is of utmost importance. Currently, the brain-computer interface industry in our country lacks a mature industrial chain, and industry standards need to be improved.2023year8The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, four other departments issued the 'New Industrial Standardization Pilot Project Implementation Plan (2023 - 2025(2023), with a focus on the need to carry out research on brain-computer interface standardization roadmap for brain-computer interfaces, accelerating the development of basic common standards such as brain-computer interface terminology and reference architectures, developing input-output interface standards for brain information reading and writing, data format, transmission, storage, representation, and preprocessing standards, brain information encoding and decoding algorithm standards, and conducting preliminary research on industry applications and safety ethics standards in manufacturing, healthcare, education, entertainment, and other sectors.2024year5The Cyberspace Administration of China and two other departments issued the "Informatization Standard Construction Action Plan (2024 - 2027(annual), emphasizing the advancement of brain-computer interface standard research, and strengthening the development of key technologies and application standards such as input-output interfaces, brain information encoding and decoding algorithms, and brain information security and privacy protection.
From recent policies, considering that the brain-computer interface industry is an important future sector, and that brain-computer interfaces are related to life health, privacy security, and ethical safety, the establishment of industry standards is an important foundation and step for industrial development.2024year7month1The 'Preparatory Plan for the Establishment of the Brain-Computer Interface Standardization Technical Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology' issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is an important implementation plan released under the macro-background of high-level attention at the top level of our country and under the policy guidance for industrial standard formulation.
The plan is expected to promote the development of China's brain-computer interface industry in the following aspects:
Firstly, the plan emphasizes optimizing standardized roadmaps and accelerating the development of key technical standards. This not only helps to unify technical standards and specifications but also promotes collaboration among industry, academia, research, and application, providing an organizational and environmental foundation for industrial development.
Secondly, the plan promotes the implementation of standard dissemination and enforcement. Focusing on the entire research process of brain-computer interface applications, it has proposed terminal product evaluation standards and testing certification methods. Standard dissemination activities are carried out to guide enterprises to meet benchmarks in R&D, production, management, etc., providing standardized standards for the commercialization of brain-computer interface-related products and services, and further promoting industrial progress.
Finally, from the perspective of the overall market, standardized standard setting and good interaction between the market and policies will attract more investment and consumer attention to brain-computer interfaces, further enhancing market vitality and competitiveness. This will provide development opportunities for technological innovation, product innovation, and application scenario innovation in brain-computer interfaces.
Promoting the transition of brain-computer interfaces from laboratories to market and enhancing the industrialization level of brain-computer interfaces are important aspects in empowering economic development through these interfaces and facilitating collaborative progress across multiple industries. The newly released plan will provide a favorable development environment for technological advancement, industrial development, and investment in brain-computer interfaces from aspects such as industry standard setting and information interaction among industry, academia, research, and application.
*This interview has been published in Huaxia Times Reporter: Liu Shimeng, original title: How far is it from "Science Fiction Becoming Reality"? The construction of China's brain-computer interface standards has accelerated, and a market worth hundreds of billions is on the horizon. ">
