On August 6, Naomi Bashkansky, a 23-year-old former OpenAI researcher, announced her new role at the startup Conduit, just two weeks after leaving OpenAI. As a founding researcher, she will focus on developing a non-invasive brain-machine interface that translates thoughts into text without the need for surgery or implanted electrodes.
This innovative approach aims to capture the semantic intent of individuals before they verbally express or type their thoughts, potentially revolutionizing human-computer interaction. The vision of Conduit is ambitious, with many research questions still in a 'greenfield' state, allowing Bashkansky to engage deeply in data collection and model training.
Founded in 2024 in San Francisco, Conduit has a small core team, including co-founders Rio Popper and Clem von Stengel, who bring unique perspectives on human-computer interaction and AI. As the company progresses, the integration of brain signals with AI technology will be a key area to watch.
Editor's Note
The shift towards non-invasive brain-machine interfaces represents a significant advancement in human-computer interaction technology. As startups like Conduit explore uncharted territories in neural decoding, they may pave the way for new applications in various sectors, including healthcare and communication. The involvement of experienced researchers from established organizations like OpenAI highlights the growing interest in this innovative field.
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