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Professor Kevin Warwick from the University of Reading in the UK is a
scientist that not only houses a chip in his skin but also a lot of nerve,
pluck, arteries of gushing ideas, veins of maverick thoughts and much more.
In August 1998 he got a surgically implanted silicon chip transponder in his
forearm and then in March 2002 was ready for another one. This time it was a
hundred electrode array into the median nerve fibers of the left arm. Professor
Kevin Warwick, born in Coventry, UK got his first degree at Aston University,
followed by a PhD and a research post at Imperial College, London and
subsequently held positions at the Oxford, Newcastle, and Warwick universities
before being offered the Chair at Reading. His research interests include
robotics and cybernetics in particular apart from areas like artificial
intelligence, control, and biomedical engineering. His list of laurels includes
higher doctorates (DScs) by Imperial College and the Czech Academy of Sciences,
Prague, The Future of Health Technology Award from MIT USA, the IEE
Achievement Medal, a place etched in 1999 and 2002 Guiness Book of Records, and
so on.
Its not surprising that Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame calls him
Britains leading prophet of the robot Age. In this exclusive interview with
CyberMedia News, Kevin talks without mincing any words or chips, on various
issues around the realm of cybernetics, cyborgs, human vs machines, words vs
signals, ethics, evolution, and science. Excerpts
Its been ten years since Cyborg 1.0. How close has the reality come to
sci-fi movies and human fancy?
We are witnessing tracking of objects and much closer monitoring of
humansit will not be long before we see implant technology used for human
tracking. We will also see the use of cybernetic technology to help a lot more
people with disabilitiesparalysed individuals to drive themselves around for
example. But this is real science, since it affects us all. I am afraid that I
do not hold with the theory of global warming. There will always be climate
change and from the point of view of someone in wet-cum-cold England things
appear to be getting colder, not hotter. The big thing here is, do we know what
we are doing that is bringing about climate change? At present the answer to
this is no.
How has the cyborg concept and endeavor evolved over the years since the
chip implant?
We are now investigating brain-computer links, in particular, an implant into
the brain that acts bi-directionally. This probably will mean retraining neurons
within the brain to alter their basic functioning. And to speak like a shaman,
the crystal ball shows the next experiment to be six to eight years away with
myself receiving a brain implantthe main reason being for bi-directional
communication. Clearly this is different from space projects. I believe it is
far more important as it really changes what it means to be human.
In context to Project Cyborg 2.0, did your experiments accomplish the
objectives you set out for?
Yes, we did achieve a basic form of telegraphic communication. It is possible
therefore to transmit signals directly between two (or more) human brains. As
long as the signals are learnt, I dont see that we will need words any more,
but it will open the possibility of communicating more abstract concepts,
feelings, ideas, colors, images, etc.
You once said in an interview, I think by 2100 people would be able to
communicate by thought signals alone with no need for telephones or old
fashioned signaling. How do you view this prognosis today?
I think it will be well before 2100. It is such a powerful means of
communication, and the technology to do it is just about in place. We are about
to enter extremely exciting times for science.
As the worlds first cyborg, what were your experiences and encounters
vis-a-vis your personal life?
The experience of communicating in a new way with my wife brought us even
closer togetherits not a bad thing to do for a relationshipmuch better than
buying flowers or a ring!
When the implant was in place, we were shocked one day to witness enormous
electrical signals appearing on my nervous system. This turned out to be due to
a text message coming through on one of my researchers cell phones. Since that
time when I am on a bus or train and am close to someone whose cell phone rings,
I tend to move away from them as quickly as I can. I now only use my cell phone
when it is absolutely necessary.
If one goes by the definition of cyborg as a human dependent on
technology, has most of the world population skewed itself to being cyborgs?
Some philosophers believe that we all have become more linked with, more
dependant on technology, and as a result our brain has changed its functioning.
For me though, when people think of a cyborg it is more a human who has been
enhanced in some way (from a human norm), and the technology is integral to
them, it is part of their bodynot sure if anyone else fits that bill.
Whats your reckoning of the technological evolution via cloning,
cybernetics, human genome initiatives, etc, in comparison to biological
evolution in light of the ethical concerns, pitfalls, and sustainability debate
it is subject to?
I think it is right that there are ethical concerns and it is up to
scientists to listen to such concerns and act as they see fit. I have certainly
modified my research in light of ethical suggestions. However, some issues are
delicatethe robot with a rat brain project involves taking neurons from a rat
fetussome people have a problem with that, but to stop our research would be
wrong, since as the results could have a profound effect on the treatment of
Alzheimers disease. It is difficult for scientists but we must listen and draw
a reasonable balance.
Besides the upsides of the technology, what would you comment on the
downside of the technology?
I think cyborgs are the next evolutionary (in a technical sense) step for
humansbecause of intellectual superiority then they probably will replace
humans. Machines are certainly gaining in their intelligence and could become a
potential threat anyway, if we do not upgrade to be cyborgs then thats the end
of it anyway.
There are still a lot of technical questions regarding cyborgs to be sorted,
but most likely this will happen for commercial benefit. For example, it would
not be nice for hackers to get in to your brain signals through an implant.
Clearly, security needs to be a lot stricter than it is now.
Your observations on India in the realm of scientific endeavors, research,
and cybernetics in particular?
I think there are enormous opportunities in Indiathis cyborg technology is
very new and it is the countries that embrace it that will benefit most from it.
And I have felt considerable interest in this area in India and feel that the
IITs in particular are very well placed. The young graduates appearing from the
IITs are as good (if not better) than any other technical graduates in the
worldmany of them are extremely impressive.
Whats your view on the Big Bang experiment and all the buzz, debate and
excitement it has generated?
The Big Bang experiment has attracted a lot of publicity. But it is an
extremely expensive experiment and I am really not sure what will come out of
it. I am not particularly impressed. Some people have said that it will prove
God does not existI completely disagreeit will prove no such thing. Only God
would himself be able to prove that he doesnt existnow that is interesting
philosophynot (like Descartes) to try to prove that you do exist, but rather to
prove that you do not exist.
Pratima Harigunani
maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in
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