Tether’s Brain-Computer Interface Initiative

Tether is venturing into brain-computer interface (BCI) technology with the development of BrainOS, an open-source platform aimed at maintaining decentralization and accessibility.

The company revealed this initiative via an interview excerpt from CEO Paolo Ardoino on their official website. Ardoino emphasized Tether’s commitment to preventing private entities from monopolizing BCI advancements.

> “Tether Data is spearheading the development of BrainOS, an open-source platform that aims to democratize access to advanced brain augmentation tools,” Ardoino stated. “By ensuring this technology remains decentralized and transparent, Tether is advancing its commitment to empowering individuals through ethical and open innovation.”

This initiative builds on Tether’s $200 million investment in BlackRock Neurotech in April last year.

BlackRock Neurotech, a leader in the BCI field, has successfully used its technology to aid numerous paralysis patients, allowing them to control robotic limbs, fly drones, and communicate via thought.

Human Augmentation

In a discussion with Milano Finanza, Ardoino highlighted the necessity of human augmentation amidst rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). He pointed out that while AI evolves quickly, human cognition is constrained by biology. Integrating BCIs with high-speed data access could help maintain human relevance as AI advances.

> “I’ll probably be criticized for this statement, but I believe it’s important to be extremely objective when analyzing a technology’s impact on society as a whole. The line between human creativity and AI’s artistic simulation is already very thin today. I therefore believe it’s likely that in the next 5-10 years, we won’t be able to tell whether an artistic production was created by a human or a machine.”
> — Paolo Ardoino

Ardoino noted that, despite the human brain’s capabilities, it has limitations. He proposed that a brain-computer interface co-processor could enhance creativity and problem-solving skills, potentially speeding up scientific breakthroughs.

> Brain OS by Tether 🧠
> How Humans can compete with Robots+AI and remain the most intelligent species on Earth?
> Below you can read an excerpt from an interview on the future of Human evolution, enhancing brain capabilities through brain-computer interfaces.
> There is so much more… link
> — Paolo Ardoino 🤖🍐 (@paoloardoino) February 17, 2025

Communication and Thought Expression

Ardoino also pointed out that BrainOS could eliminate barriers to communication and thought expression.

> “Natural language can only express an approximation of thought, as the complete set of available terms is limited,” he explained. “To be completely expressive, a language would need infinite terms to describe every small detail of a thought.”

Tether’s open-source commitment aligns with its philosophy of decentralization. Through collaborations with academic institutions, the company aims for BrainOS to encourage cooperative research and ethical innovation.