China Sees Widespread Use of Brain-Computer Tech in 3–5 Years

China could see brain-computer interface (BCI) technology move into practical public use within three to five years as products mature, a leading BCI expert said, as Beijing races to catch up with US startups including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Laurie Chen reported for Reuters.

China is the second country to launch invasive BCI human trials. (Photo: Neuralink X)

Beijing elevated BCIs to a core future strategic industry in its new five-year plan released this week, placing the technology alongside sectors such as quantum computing, embodied AI, 6G and nuclear fusion.

“New policies will not change things overnight. I think after another three to five years we will gradually see some BCI products moving toward actual practical service for the public,” said Yao Dezhong, director of the Sichuan Institute of Brain Science, in an interview on the sidelines of China’s annual parliament meetings in Beijing.

A national BCI development strategy released last year aims for major technical breakthroughs by 2027 and for China to cultivate two or three world-class firms by 2030.

China is the second country to launch invasive BCI human trials. More than 10 trials are active, matching the US, while scientists plan to enroll more than 50 patients nationwide this year.

Recent high-profile trials have enabled paralyzed patients and amputees to regain partial mobility and operate robotic hands or intelligent wheelchairs.