China is making swift advancements in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, according to Tom Oxley, CEO and founder of U.S.-based BCI company Synchron.
Speaking during the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, Oxley shared insights into China’s progress in the BCI field. “China is growing very quickly,” he said. “There are several BCI companies emerging, and it looks like the government has a very clear strategic view on this technology. It looks to me that the field of BCI is moving very, very quickly in China.”
Oxley also discussed Synchron’s recent collaboration with tech giant Apple. “It’s very exciting,” he commented. “We’ve integrated a type of Bluetooth protocol that will be an industry standard, enabling BCI companies to send control signals directly from the brain.” This development allows devices to interpret brain signals natively, without needing to mimic keyboard or mouse inputs.
Highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in BCI’s future, Oxley said, “There’s a natural synergy between BCI and AI.” He believes that AI can help interpret unstructured brain data through unsupervised learning, extracting meaningful signals that enhance BCI functionality.
When asked about making BCI technology accessible to those with severe mobility issues, Oxley acknowledged that regulatory approvals for commercial use are still pending. However, he is optimistic about the timeline. “I expect large-scale adoption could begin around the 2040s, especially if less invasive procedures like Synchron’s catheter-based system continue to develop,” he noted. “That means millions of people can receive it rather than tens of thousands.”
Looking ahead, Oxley envisions BCI technology extending beyond medical applications. “If it’s safe and easy to use, it will enable us to use our brains in a way that is much better than normal,” he expressed. While he doesn’t foresee widespread non-medical adoption happening very soon, he believes there will be a rapid advancement of the technology in the near future.
