In this interview, we discuss Cognitive Neuroscience And Artificial Intelligence: AI Cybernetics With Sharena Rice PhD.
We discuss Ai And The Brain: Understanding The Relationship Between Ai And Neuroscience And If You Stay till the end Sharena will answer the question: Can You Make Brain-Computer Interface at Home? Sharena is a research scientist at a Public Benefit Corporation neurotechnology operating in stealth mode. She formerly served as co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Intvo, which produced computer vision solutions in the automotive space.
https://audioboom.com/posts/8315658?v=202301
With the emergence of new technologies that sense and analyze data, there come opportunities. For scepticism. For innovation. For a better understanding of how systems interact Neuroscientist, cybernetician, and storyteller in startups. Nerd at Nobody Studios, Contributing Editor at Neurotech Reports, Research Scientist at a medical neurotechnology startup operating in stealth. Earned PhD in neuroscience at the University of Michigan, continuing to defrost in the Silicon Valley.
These are some of the questions Nat asked Sharena in the interview.
- What Is Cognitive Neuroscience?
- What Is Cybernetics?
- The Future Of Medical Technology, Digital Health, And Neuroscience What Do You See As The Future Of Healthcare Technology?
- What Is The Future Of Healthcare?
- Redefining The Future Of Healthcare What Do You See As The Future Of Elderly Healthcare?
Neuroscience Ai And The Future Of Education
1. On one hand, you are doing research and development for medical technology at the stealth startup. On the other hand, you are working more on the consumer side at Nobody Studios. Why did you structure things this way?
2. Let’s say you just graduated high school and are about to start college today. What would you do to future-proof your career?
3. What is the role of science in an age when lots of generative AI is emerging? If you are a competitive person but are doubting your potential, create an evil imaginary rival who has the gift of gab without any technical or scientific knowledge and compete with them.
Exploring Neuroscience and AI Cybernetics in Healthcare and Education
In this episode of Influential Visions, Nathaniel Schooler interviews Shereena Rice, PhD, about the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI) cybernetics. The conversation covers the potential of brain-computer interfaces, the current state of neurotechnology startups, and the relationship between AI and neuroscience. The podcast also discusses the future of healthcare technology and its impact on elderly care and education.
Cognitive Neuroscience, Cybernetics, and Healthcare Technology
The podcast explores the fields of cognitive neuroscience and cybernetics, which deal with brain and neural activity and circular causality between machines and living things. The future of healthcare technology is discussed, with a focus on collecting data from people’s brains to analyze how their thoughts affect their health. While the abundance of data can lead to many insights, there is also a need for reflection and interpretation to make sense of it all. Digital solutions, such as Fitbit technology, have made significant strides in healthcare, monitoring heart conditions, and potentially detecting Alzheimer’s and other dementias early.
Robots and Digital Solutions in Elderly Healthcare
Although robots have been explored in elderly healthcare homes in Japan, their design needs to be more intuitive and user-friendly to encourage usage. Current technologies are not yet designed for elderly individuals, and there is a need for a more inclusive world. The future of elderly healthcare may involve personalized medicine and the use of robotics, but technologies need to be used and improved to become more effective.
Data Analytics and the Future of Elderly Healthcare
The role of data analytics in the future of elderly healthcare is discussed, with the potential for analyzing data to come up with exercise and dietary plans that can help lengthen people’s lives. The importance of considering multiple factors that influence a person’s health, such as genetics and neurological diseases, is emphasized, along with the potential for breakthroughs in healthcare to make treatments more affordable.
Neuroscience AI and the Future of Education
The future of education lies in personalized learning journeys that are aided by technology. Neuroscience and AI have the potential to create brain computer interfaces that can assist in this process. AI tools like Chat GPT can automate tasks like summarizing quotes, freeing up time for more original thought. However, the development of such technologies requires regulatory frameworks and reimbursement strategies. The goal of education is to prepare people for the workforce and contribute to society, with technology playing a crucial role in the process.
Working in Stealth Startups and Consumer Technology
The speaker discusses their work in medical technology at a stealth startup and consumer technology at Nobody studio. They explain that they structured their life this way to become excellent at startups, by going deep in a highly regulated and high barrier to entry industry like healthcare, while also working on consumer technology that solves problems in ways that healthcare tends to not be as good at.
Future-Proofing Your Career as a College Student
The speaker suggests asking yourself what is least likely to be automated and creating a diagram of things that are unlikely to be automated. They also recommend exploring and using the time in college to explore things that are hard to automate or that require a person’s sanity check. Additionally, the speaker stresses the importance of personal connections and highlights the risks of fake videos. Despite the increasing use of technology, the speaker emphasizes the value of people skills.
The Importance of Science in Generative AI Technology
As generative AI technology continues to advance, there is a growing concern for the accuracy and truthfulness of its output. Science plays a crucial role in ensuring that these technologies are grounded in evidence-based theories and principles. The relationship between technology, science, and philosophy can be likened to a sponge cake with layers of culture infused in them. Technology is enhanced by a deep understanding of its underlying mechanisms, and science is essential in testing hypotheses and observing phenomena.
Building a Brain Computer Interface at Home
The speakers discuss the possibility of building a brain-computer interface (BCI) at home. While it is possible to buy a consumer-grade EEG system for less than $1,000, some parts can also be 3D printed. The amount of data that can be obtained from a BCI will depend on the placement and configuration of the electrodes. Additionally, the speakers suggest that individuals who doubt their potential in a competitive field can create an imaginary rival without any technical or scientific knowledge and compete with them to improve their skills.
In conclusion, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into the cutting-edge developments in the field of AI and neuroscience, exploring their potential applications in healthcare and education.
Exploring the Relationship Between AI and Neuroscience with Shereena Rice
00:00:00 – 00:01:38
In this episode of Influential Visions, Nathaniel Schooler interviews Shereena Rice, PhD, about the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI) cybernetics. Despite the technical nature of the topic, the conversation is accessible and informative for both techies and non-techies alike. Rice, a neuroscientist, cybernetician, and startup storyteller, discusses the potential of brain-computer interfaces and the current state of neurotechnology startups operating in stealth mode. The conversation also delves into the relationship between AI and neuroscience, spurred by Elon Musk’s goal of connecting everyone with brain and AI. Overall, this podcast offers valuable insights into the cutting-edge developments in the field of AI and neuroscience.
Cognitive Neuroscience, Cybernetics, and the Future of Healthcare Technology
00:01:38 – 00:08:33
The podcast discusses the fields of cognitive neuroscience and cybernetics, which deal with brain and neural activity and circular causality between machines and living things. The future of healthcare technology is also explored, with a focus on collecting data from people’s brains to analyze how their thoughts affect their health. While the abundance of data can lead to many insights, there is also a need for reflection and interpretation to make sense of it all. Ultimately, people will make their own lifestyle decisions regardless of what their wearable devices say, but digital solutions have made significant strides in healthcare, such as monitoring heart conditions with Fitbit technology.
Solving Health Problems with Digital Solutions
00:08:33 – 00:10:26
In this podcast episode, the guest speaker talks about how he used to work in cardiac surgeries and make robotics for them. However, he is now happy to be on the Fitbit team because he can solve problems in advance to prevent surgeries. He emphasizes the importance of looking at signals and determining interventions to come up with solutions that will make for a good future but acknowledges that it will take effort. The speaker then discusses the possibility of digital solutions detecting Alzheimer’s and other dementias early and whether people would use them consistently. He mentions the effectiveness of crossword puzzles and gaming solutions in maintaining sharpness but admits that measuring their effectiveness longitudinally can be tricky. Finally, the conversation touches on various studies around saunas and other solutions for dementia.
The Future of Elderly Healthcare: Robots and Digital Solutions
00:10:26 – 00:13:31
The use of robots in elderly healthcare homes has been explored in Japan, but staff members have reported that it takes too much effort to get them out of cupboards and use them for exercise classes. The design of robots needs to be more intuitive and user-friendly to encourage usage. Digital solutions that mimic the design of analog versions may also be easier for the elderly to adopt. However, current technologies are not yet designed for elderly individuals, and there is a need for a more inclusive world. The future of elderly healthcare may involve personalized medicine and the use of robotics, but technologies need to be used and improved to become more effective.
The Future Of Elderly Healthcare And The Role Of Data Analytics
00:13:31 – 00:17:52
In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss the future of elderly healthcare and the role that data analytics can play in it. They talk about the potential for analyzing data to come up with exercise and dietary plans that can help lengthen people’s lives. However, the guest expresses skepticism about whether interventions that we think will elongate lifespan will actually do so, and emphasizes the need for time to determine their effectiveness. They also discuss the importance of considering multiple factors that influence a person’s health, such as genetics and neurological diseases, and the potential for breakthroughs in healthcare to make treatments more affordable. The conversation ends with a brief mention of the future of neuroscience AI and education.
Neuroscience, AI and the Future of Education
00:17:53 – 00:23:49
The future of education lies in personalized learning journeys that are aided by technology. Rather than simply throwing technology at a group of people and hoping they adapt to it, it’s important to understand how people learn and what makes them receptive to learning at a given moment. Neuroscience and AI have the potential to create brain computer interfaces that can assist in this process. For instance, a brain computer interface could tell a student what they are receptive to learning at a given time, similar to a music playlist that’s based on mood. In addition, AI tools like Chat GPT can automate tasks like summarizing quotes, freeing up time for more original thought. However, the development of such technologies requires regulatory frameworks and reimbursement strategies. Overall, the goal of education is to prepare people for the workforce and to contribute to society. The future of education lies in understanding how technology can best assist in this process.
Balancing Medical and Consumer Technology: A Startup Journey
00:23:49 – 00:27:32
The speaker discusses their work in medical technology at a stealth startup and consumer technology at Nobody studio. They explain that they structured their life this way to become excellent at startups, by going deep in a highly regulated and high barrier to entry industry like healthcare, while also working on consumer technology that solves problems in ways that healthcare tends to not be as good at. The speaker gives an example of the complexities of measuring biological things, citing telomeres as an example, which used to be believed to increase life expectancy if they were longer. However, researchers found that longer telomeres in older people may also indicate a higher cancer risk, demonstrating the importance of interpretation in addition to data collection.
A Day in the Life of a Startup Creator and Machine Worker
00:27:36 – 00:29:40
The speaker starts by talking about their work creating 100 start-ups from scratch in five years, including projects like Web Delics and Cat GPT. They then mention their full-time job, which involves working with machines, writing documentation, and occasionally working with research participants. In the evenings, they often attend community events in Silicon Valley. Overall, the speaker enjoys their work and finds it fun.
Future-Proofing Your Career: Tips for College Students
00:29:40 – 00:33:29
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses how to future-proof your career as a college student. The speaker suggests asking yourself what is least likely to be automated and creating a diagram of things that are unlikely to be automated. The speaker also recommends exploring and using the time in college to explore things that are hard to automate or that require a person’s sanity check. Additionally, the speaker stresses the importance of personal connections and highlights the risks of fake videos. Despite the increasing use of technology, the speaker emphasizes the value of people skills. The challenge of working out what will be in demand in the next five years is also discussed.
The Role of Science in Generative AI
00:33:29 – 00:36:37
As generative AI technology continues to advance, there is a growing concern for the accuracy and truthfulness of its output. Science plays a crucial role in ensuring that these technologies are grounded in evidence-based theories and principles. The relationship between technology, science, and philosophy can be likened to a sponge cake with layers of culture infused in them. Technology is enhanced by a deep understanding of its underlying mechanisms, and science is essential in testing hypotheses and observing phenomena. Ultimately, these fields are interconnected and rely on each other for analysis, development, and improvement.
Building a Brain Computer Interface at Home
00:36:37 – 00:39:45
In this podcast episode, the speakers discuss the possibility of building a brain computer interface (BCI) at home. While it is possible to buy a consumer-grade EEG system for less than $1,000, some parts can also be 3D printed. The amount of data that can be obtained from a BCI will depend on the placement and configuration of the electrodes. Additionally, the speakers suggest that individuals who doubt their potential in a competitive field can create an imaginary rival without any technical or scientific knowledge and compete with them to improve their skills. The podcast episode concludes with a thank you message and a call to share the episode with friends and business connections.
