A chip in the old block

'A chip off the old block' could take on a new dimension, thanks to that visionary chap Elon Musk and his company Neurolink which has just implanted an interactive chip in somebody’s brain. This—of course—has only been done to pave the way for all sorts of restorative treatments for people with neurological problems. Nothing but good will come from it, just like atoms for peace. And one day we’ll all have an IQ of 200 as we’re all fitted with artificial intelligence. Naturally, I predicted this over 20 years ago, when I gave a talk to the Morley Labour Lunch Club. I suggested that the miniaturisation of electronic technology would allow the equivalent of a mobile phone to be inserted and connected to the brain. We’d become telepathic overnight. I suspect that this eventuality may still be 25 to 50 years off, but the current research will pick up pace, not least in China where mind control must be a gleaming prospect for a society where technology is already heavily used for social control. It could allow for the (unavoidable) receipt of the Great Leader’s thoughts, whoever he or she may be at that time. And any negative thoughts you may have will be monitored 24/7. I don’t read fiction these days, but I bet there’s a slew of science fiction novels on this very subject, each one with its own dystopia. But right now the technology is only being developed for the benefit of humanity. Right?