Renowned technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has claimed that his company, Neuralink, could open the way for communication between humans and animals in the future. This claim also mentions the year 2028. However, this is a future possibility, not a confirmation of a feature that would allow people to communicate with their pets at set times.
What is Neuralink and how does its technology work ?
Neuralink is a neurotechnology company developing a brain-computer interface (BCI), a technology that allows direct communication between the brain and a computer. Our brains use electrical signals transmitted through neurons to direct the body. Scientists are working on techniques to record and analyze these signals to help people with paralysis or severe physical disabilities use digital devices. Potential uses include interpreting brain signals to move a computer cursor. However, recognizing brain signals and instructing a computer and understanding an animal's thoughts and communicating with it are two distinct scientific challenges.
How can communication with animals be possible ?
Dogs, cats, and other animals also sense the world around them. They express states such as fear, happiness, stress, and curiosity through various behaviors and physical signals. New technologies could advance this process if scientists can establish reliable links between brain activity and specific behaviors. However, this will require answering several difficult questions, such as whether a brain signal can determine whether an animal is hungry or whether that information is simply a function of the brain.
Can it be translated into clearer terms for humans ?
Communication between humans and animals doesn't necessarily mean speaking each other's language. It's possible that technology may help us infer whether an animal is uncomfortable or afraid based on its behavior or biological signals in the future, but this inference isn't the same as directly understanding the animal's actual thoughts. For example, your dog barks at the door; it could be due to someone's presence outside, a desire to take a walk, or fear. It's difficult to determine the exact meaning based on just one signal. Similarly, a cat dropping a glass doesn't always indicate a specific intention; it could also be curiosity or play. Therefore, it's premature to expect pets to respond like humans.
Science faces several major challenges in this direction. First, it is difficult to accurately interpret brain signals, as not every activity has a single, definitive meaning. Furthermore, differences between species are a major issue, as not all animals perceive the world in the same way. Safety and ethics are equally important, ensuring that animals are not unnecessarily distressed during experiments.
Will the dog really respond in human language ?
This is the most interesting and complex aspect of this claim. Communication between humans and animals does not necessarily mean that they speak each other's languages.
It is possible that in the future some technology may help to predict whether an animal is hungry, feeling uncomfortable or scared of something, based on its behavior or some biological signals.
But this inference is not the same thing as directly understanding the animal's actual thoughts.
Let's say your dog barks at the door. This could be due to the presence of someone outside, a desire for a walk, fear, or some other reaction. It's difficult to determine its exact meaning based on just one signal.
Similarly, a cat dropping a glass isn't always evidence of any specific intention. The behavior could be due to a variety of reasons, including curiosity, play, attention seeking, or a natural reaction to surrounding objects.
Therefore, even if technology to understand animal signals is developed in the future, it would be premature to expect pets to answer questions like humans.
The biggest challenges facing science
Developing any technology to communicate with animals requires scientists to work on several levels. The first challenge is to understand the true meaning of brain signals. Not every activity in the brain has a specific meaning.
The interpretation of the same signs may be different in different circumstances.
Another challenge is species differences. Dogs, cats, and other animals don't perceive the world in the same way. Their senses, behaviors, and communication methods vary. Therefore, it's inaccurate to assume the same technique will work equally well for all animals.
The third challenge is safety and ethics. If brain-connected devices are to be used on animals in the future, their health, comfort, and safety must be prioritized. Any experiment must ensure that the animal is not subjected to unnecessary pain or distress.
Apart from this, scientists will also have to clarify whether the information obtained from the technology actually reflects the mental state of the animal or is only an estimate based on the available data.
What should be understood about the 2028 deadline ?
The claim that communication between humans and animals will be possible by 2028 should be viewed as a possible future for now. Until the company provides clear technical details and validated tests, it's not appropriate to consider this a definitive timeline. If technology develops in the future that allows for a better understanding of animal mental states, it could improve veterinary medicine and care. A sick animal may not be able to clearly express its pain, and technology could be helpful in this regard. Ultimately, asking questions directly from your pet and hearing answers is still a distant dream, but science is showing that new avenues for understanding the brain and communication are being explored.
The relationship between humans and animals may change in the future
If technology develops in the future that helps us more reliably understand the needs and mental states of animals, its use will go beyond mere curiosity. This could also open up possibilities for improving the study of veterinary animal behavior and the way they are cared for. If technology helps us better recognize signs of distress, it could make it easier for veterinarians to understand their condition. However, this is also a potential future use, not a proven achievement.
Ultimately, asking your pet a question directly and hearing it respond is still a fantasy. But scientific advances do show that new avenues are being explored to understand brain behavior and communication.
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