At the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, Synchron CEO Tom Oxley highlighted China's accelerating advancements in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, positioning the country as a key driver of global innovation. Oxley's remarks underscored China's strategic focus on emerging tech sectors, with BCI development gaining unprecedented momentum.
China's BCI Ambitions Take Center Stage
Oxley noted China's rapid progress, stating: "Several BCI companies are emerging, and the government has a clear strategic view on this technology." His observations align with growing international interest in BCIs, which enable direct communication between the human brain and external devices.
Tech Partnerships Redefine Industry Standards
Synchron's collaboration with Apple to develop a Bluetooth-based Human Interface Device (HID) protocol marks a significant leap forward. "This native integration allows brain signals to bypass traditional input methods," Oxley explained, emphasizing its potential to create universal industry standards for neural interfaces.
AI Integration and Medical Breakthroughs
The company's integration of ChatGPT into its BCI systems demonstrates AI's growing role in decoding neural patterns. While commercial implantable BCIs remain in development, Oxley predicts initial applications could help patients with paralysis by the 2040s, with catheter-based systems potentially benefiting millions through minimally invasive procedures.
Balancing Optimism With Realism
Despite enthusiasm for non-medical applications, Oxley cautioned: "People thinking this is happening very soon—I don't think it's happening very soon." However, he anticipates accelerated technological development as safety protocols and user accessibility improve.
