Neuralink and Desire
Exploring the connection between Brain-computer interfaces and Deleuze & Guattari’s theory of libido
The Neuralink brain chip, pioneered by Elon Musk, has received significant attention for its groundbreaking innovation, which allowed paraplegic Noland Arbaugh to play online chess by moving a cursor across a computer screen. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for transforming human capabilities, enabling individuals to control machines with their thoughts and potentially enhancing cognitive functions.
Libido, according to Deleuze and Guattari, does not originate in an individual’s mind but instead emanates from social, cultural, and economic systems. They conceptualise desire as a productive and creative force, driving individuals to explore new experiences and push boundaries. Two of their key concepts are Body without Organs (BwO) and Desiring machines.
BwO challenges the idea of a fixed body and identity, advocating for a more fluid and open conception of existence and the boundaries between the individual and society. Desiring machines are not literally machines. Rather, they are theoretical structures that describe the ways in which desire functions. For instance, the fulfilment or frustration of a desire can feedback into the system, shaping future desires and actions.
AI holds significant promise in alleviating the demands faced by individuals who constantly feel overwhelmed by the incessant barrage of information. Brain-computer interface technology, which could facilitate the integration of AI systems directly into our brains, offers a revolutionary approach to coping with information overload. By seamlessly integrating AI capabilities into our cognitive processes, brain-link technology enables real-time assistance in filtering, organising, and responding to the vast array of stimuli encountered in daily life.
As AI continues to evolve, the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, leading to a paradigm shift where physical constraints no longer dictate the extent of human activity or interaction. While the physical world remains crucial for many aspects of human existence, AI’s capacity to transcend physical and mental limitations opens up new avenues for exploration, creativity, and connectivity in an increasingly virtual society.
There is a trend to convert individual experiences into content suitable for online platforms, often at the expense of full immersion in the moment. Take, for example, the act of filming a concert instead of simply enjoying the experience. While capturing moments through videos or photos can serve as a means of preserving memories and sharing them with others, it can also detract from the depth of engagement with the event itself. By prioritising the documentation of experiences for consumption, the raw emotions and sensory richness that make these moments truly meaningful are lost.
Brain-computer interface technology grants unprecedented access to individuals’ inner thoughts and neural activity, potentially leading to surveillance, manipulation, and exploitation. The integration of AI into our brains may blur the boundaries between human decision-making and external influence, raising questions about individual sovereignty and free will.
Thoughts, memories, and ideas could be commodified and transformed into assets to be exploited for profit. What if every experience was preprocessed to fit a format that was acceptable for a platform? Consider the possibility of losing our sense of individuality within a vast network of interconnected minds, or AI links. Desire would no longer be individualistic but generated from the network, where desiring machines interact and intersect with one another. Deleuze and Guattari caution that capitalism operates by capturing and redirecting desire, turning it into a commodity to be bought and sold.
AI could shape our desires in alignment with predetermined commercial, political, or social objectives. Furthermore, the integration of AI into brain-computer interfaces raises the possibility of direct manipulation of neural activity, potentially allowing for the modulation of desires at a fundamental cognitive level.
Overall, Neuralink’s brain chip represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field of brain-computer interfaces. Comparing and contrasting brain-computer interface technology with Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of libido unveils potential risks, whilst shedding light on how both concepts engage with the complexities of human cognition and desire.
