A recent study from Cal Tech highlights the natural limits of how fast our brains process information, even as researchers explore ways to improve communication using brain-computer interfaces. While humans take in sensory data at an extraordinary rate—about a billion bits per second—our brains can process this information at only 10 bits per second. This slow pace restricts how we think, multitask, and communicate, setting boundaries that even advanced technology struggles to overcome.
Elon Musk, through his company Neuralink, has become a key figure in this field. Neuralink’s latest device uses significantly more electrodes than previous brain implants, allowing it to gather more data from nerve cells. Musk has spoken publicly about the potential for these devices to increase “bandwidth”—the speed at which information can flow between the brain and machines or even directly between people. In a post on X, Musk described a vision of vastly enhanced communication speeds, where people could share complex thoughts or mental images almost instantaneously.
Experts are skeptical about this vision, especially for nondisabled individuals. While brain implants might eventually allow some forms of mental image transfer, such as sharing a picture directly from one brain to another, the inherent processing limits of the human brain would still act as a bottleneck. For instance, even if a device could perfectly capture mental images or ideas, the brain’s natural speed of 40 bits per second for spoken communication would prevent these thoughts from being shared significantly faster. Musk’s futuristic vision of seamless and rapid brain-to-brain communication may remain unattainable because of these biological constraints.
Where the technology holds the most promise is in helping individuals with disabilities. Neuralink and other researchers have demonstrated that brain implants can allow paralyzed individuals to control a computer or “speak” by interpreting signals from their motor neurons. For example, these devices can measure how neurons fire as someone imagines speaking, enabling the translation of those signals into words on a screen. With more electrodes and improved data collection, these systems could enable even faster and more natural communication for people who have lost the ability to speak.
While Musk’s post about revolutionizing human communication sparks exciting conversations, it also highlights the challenges of exceeding the brain’s natural limitations. For now, the most impactful uses of brain-computer interfaces are in restoring lost abilities rather than dramatically enhancing those of healthy individuals. Still, the technology’s ability to transform lives is a testament to the progress being made, even if it doesn’t quite meet Musk’s grand vision—for now. The study can be found here.
