Government Targets BCI Demonstration by 2029 and Commercialization by 2035

The government has set a goal of demonstrating brain-computer interface (BCI) technology by 2029 and commercializing it by 2035. The BCI Alliance, a public-private consultative body established to support the effort, has also been launched.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held the launch ceremony for the BCI Alliance on the 26th at The Plaza Seoul’s Maple Hall. More than 100 experts from universities, research institutions, companies and hospitals attended.

The alliance is co-chaired by Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon and Baek Nam-jong, president of the Korea BCI Association, and will operate three working groups focused on research and development, commercialization and infrastructure development. The Korea BCI Association, the Korean Society for Brain-Computer Interfaces, the Ministry of Science and ICT and other relevant government ministries are participating.

BCI is a technology that enables people to communicate with computers using only their thoughts. Once commercialized, it is expected to be used in a range of fields, including overcoming physical disabilities such as paralysis of the limbs, brain diseases and visual impairment, as well as thought-controlled robots and cultural content that conveys multiple senses.

The government has included BCI in the seven major SEED and K-Moonshot large-scale investment projects. Its plan is to complete technology demonstrations by 2029, then begin clinical trials and commercialize BCI products by 2035.

At a policy discussion following the launch ceremony, Jo Il-joo, BCI program director for K-Moonshot, said the government would support the demonstration and commercialization of BCI products for patients with paralysis of the limbs and brain diseases through the BrainLink Initiative project team, which will launch next year.

The government also plans to support BCI development by establishing preclinical testing infrastructure specialized for the brain industry and a brain map, a database of brain structure and function.

Minister Bae said, "I hope the universities, research institutions, medical institutions and companies participating in the BCI Alliance will put their heads together and work together to overcome challenges in the BCI development process," adding, "The government will listen closely to opinions from the field and provide all possible policy and institutional support."