The Sociotechnical Plan of BCIs.

 

Introduction

Innovation involves creating or discovering a new product or idea for the benefit of individuals, organizations, and society. Some authors describe the invention as a process that includes building new machines, products, services, or software (Kojabayev & Maziliauskas, 2017). Due to its importance, government agencies and decision-makers set policies and provide funding or scholarships to promote innovation. We can refer to innovation as a never-ending circle. Researchers conduct investigations to develop something new or improve existing ideas or products. Some creations are already in the idea stage; however, the inventors are yet to test, sell or utilize them properly. I will discuss one of such in this paper.

Socio-technical plans combine human relationships and technology for maximum productivity (Botla & Kondur, 2018). Collaboration in a socio-technical system makes it easier for firms to respond to change. With the appropriate socio-technical plan, firms can create systems and designs that match societal goals and make the right strategies or partnerships when necessary.

Scope of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) 

Several scientists and investors like Elon Musk has developed an increased interest in BCIs. Soon, they would initiate easy use and access to brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in our society. BCI devices have direct communication with the human brain, giving room for various possibilities in medicine and science. BCIs faultlessly study, recognize and respond to the brain’s activities or relationships with the other human organs (Abdulkader et al., 2015). 

BCI devices have four major features that make communication possible. They are;

• Signal acquisition: It identifies, measures, and amplifies the brain signals for processing and transmission.

• Feature Extraction: After acquiring a signal, this component is responsible for studying and identifying signs suitable for translation. 

• Feature Translation: It changes the signals it receives into the required commands for executing tasks.

• Device Output: It is connected to the external device and provides a range of modernized functions, such as the popular robotic arm operations. 

Although highly beneficial, BCIs have limitations. We can categorize their invasive nature as one of those limitations. The implants go into the head; some are uncomfortable with that intrusion. Electrodes in these devices are hazardous and may create harmful scar tissues in the human brain. Scientists need to conduct more research to avoid these effects. 

Purpose

BCI plays a vital role in health science as it assists doctors in identifying illnesses and other forms of medical diagnosis and hastens patients’ medications, care, and treatment (Abdulkader et al., 2015). Aside from its medical benefits, researchers believe BCI would improve human capacity and productivity.  The shared signals and communications between the brain and a BCI would enable us to control devices without the physical constraints of any part of our body.  

BCIs

Security and Defense sectors of countries would also benefit from this innovation. BCIs would enable soldiers to wield their weapons via their minds and thoughts. The devices would also help curb the soldiers' fear of death and anxiety. In the United States, The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has begun investigation and investments in BCIs due to their benefit to the security personnel’s independent and communal cognitive power, strength, and speed.

Supporting Forces

• Societal Forces: The medical benefits of BCI would drive society to accept and promote this innovation. Hospitals and schools would promote the study and use of BCIs. 

• Governmental Forces: Government agencies support innovations that benefit their citizens. They would set policies to accommodate the import and use of BCIs. The decision-makers can also award funds and scholarships for citizens to study and improve existing BCIs.

• Technological Forces: Technological advancements would enable researchers to modify BCIs to make them efficient and less harmful. 

• Educational Forces: Schools and research institutions would incorporate information about BCIs into their syllabus. They would do this to improve the knowledge and use of BCI.

• Financial Forces: Both government and private investors would provide financial resources to support this innovation. Besides its benefits to society, they believe they would get a high return on investment in BCIs.

Challenging Forces

• Societal Forces: The invasive nature of brain-computer interfaces would raise privacy concerns and deter individuals from accepting them. They may also disregard this innovation due to the side effects they read or heard. 

• Governmental and Ethical Forces: Policymakers consider the opinions and fears of their citizens. The reservation from society may drive the government of a nation to create and implement rules that restrict the research, innovation, or use of using brain-computer interfaces.

• Financial Forces: The nature and importance of brain-computer interfaces increase the financial resources needed for them. Since it deals with the human body, researchers and developers must budget and invest adequate human and capital resources. Although some countries may want to support it, they need to be more buoyant to meet the financial requirements for production and adoption. The resources invested in the research and production of these devices often affect the final prices and make them too expensive for the ordinary person. These factors may delay the development and adoption of BCIs. 

Methods 

Group decision-making techniques are vital in generating ideas, setting priorities, proffering solutions, and implementing ideas within an organization (Kolb, 1999). I would incorporate a bit of brainstorming and the Delphi technique. I selected a panel within the organization where each participant would assist in curating the organization’s various socio-technical systems or components. 

The brainstorming sessions would help me gather brilliant ideas on socio-technical plans and develop questions or statements for my survey. With the rounds of survey-filling involved in the Delphi technique, l would gather enough information on the proper way to combine technology and human relationships within and outside the organization. 

References 

Abdulkader, S. N., Atia, A., & Mostafa, M. S. (2015). Brain-computer interfacing: Applications and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 217-222.

Botla, L., & Kondur, H. (2018). Sociotechnical systems of a company; The dimensionality of sociotechnical systems. 11(1), 24-26.

Kojabayev, T., & Maziliauskas, A. (2017). The definition and classification of innovation. Journal of Business and Public Administration, 8(1), 61-63. 10.1515/hjbpa-2017-0005

Kolb, J.A. (1999) ‘A project in small-group decision making,’ Journal of Management Education, 23 (1), 71–79.