Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang says he's waiting for Elon Musk's Neuralink before he has kids

Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder of Scale AI, has made headlines with his recent comments regarding family planning and the future of technology. As he embarks on a new venture at Meta focused on superintelligence, Wang reveals that he is postponing parenthood until brain-computer interfaces, like Neuralink, become accessible. During an appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, Wang expressed his desire to wait for advancements in technologies that could integrate with human cognition. Neuralink, spearheaded by Elon Musk, is at the forefront of this innovation, aiming to create tiny microchips that can be implanted in the human brain. These chips are designed to monitor and even stimulate brain activity, and while still in clinical trials, they have been successfully implanted in seven patients so far. One patient, Brad Smith, who suffers from ALS, shared his experience of editing a video using the Neuralink device, showcasing the potential of this technology. However, Wang acknowledges that Neuralink is not the sole player in this field. Companies like Synchron, supported by tech moguls Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, are also making strides in developing brain-computer interfaces to assist individuals with disabilities. Wang is particularly intrigued by the implications these technologies could have on childhood development. He noted that the brain's neuroplasticity, or its ability to adapt and change, is most pronounced during the early years of life. "In your first like seven years of life, your brain is more neuroplastic than at any other point in your life," he stated, suggesting that children born into an era of advanced brain-computer interfaces will learn to utilize these tools in unprecedented ways. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, a capacity that tends to be enhanced in children. However, Dr. Matthew MacDougall, Neuralink's head surgeon, cautions that while machines may play a role in enhancing neuroplasticity, they might not be the definitive solution. He highlighted the complexity of targeting specific areas of the brain for stimulation and pointed to pharmacological agents, such as LSD and Psilocybin, as promising avenues for research in plasticity enhancement. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, Wang's vision for integrating superintelligence into family life raises important questions about the future of parenting and child development in a tech-driven world.