The Future of Human Intelligence: AI, Neuralink, and Beyond
The Great Convergence
For thousands of years, the human brain was the most complex object in the known universe. Our unique ability for Pattern Recognition, abstract reasoning, and language allowed us to dominate the planet. We defined “intelligence” by our own biological limits.
But we are now entering a pivotal moment in history—a “Great Convergence” where biology meets silicon. The definition of what it means to be “smart” is undergoing its most radical transformation since the development of language.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) begins to match and exceed human performance on standardized tests like Raven’s Matrices and the LSAT, we are forced to ask uncomfortable questions. What happens to human dignity when we are no longer the smartest entities in the room? And, perhaps more importantly, can we join them?
At the IQ Archive, we track the IQs of history’s greatest minds, but today we look forward to the technologies that promise to shatter those records forever.
1. AI as a Cognitive Exoskeleton
We currently view AI as a tool—a glorified search engine or a digital assistant. But this is a short-sighted view. The experts in the field see AI evolving into a “cognitive exoskeleton.”
Just as a physical exoskeleton allows a human to lift thousands of pounds without strain, a cognitive exoskeleton will allow a human mind to process terabytes of data without fatigue.
The Shift from Retention to Synthesis
For centuries, Crystallized Intelligence—the storage of facts and vocabulary—was a key marker of genius. The “smartest” person was often the one who knew the most. In the age of AI, retention is becoming obsolete. Why memorize the periodic table when your AI assistant knows it instantly?
The value of human intelligence is shifting toward Fluid Intelligence (Gf) and Synthesis:
- High-Level Strategy: Defining what problem to solve rather than solving it.
- Curating Truth: Discernment in an age of infinite (and often hallucinated) information.
- Prompt Engineering: The ability to communicate complex abstract ideas to a machine to generate specific outcomes.
The Risk of Atrophy
However, there is a risk. If we outsource our thinking, do we lose our ability to think? Just as elevators made us physically weaker, could AI make us cognitively “flabby”? There is a fear that our Neuroplasticity will decline if we stop challenging our brains with difficult tasks.
2. Neuralink and the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)
While AI runs on servers, the next revolution runs inside your skull. Companies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Synchron, and Blackrock Neurotech are developing Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs).
How It Works
The brain communicates through electrical spikes. A BCI inserts ultra-fine threads (thinner than a hair) into the cortex to read these spikes and stimulate neurons.
- Input: The computer reads your intention (e.g., “move the cursor,” “type this letter”).
- Output: The computer sends signals back to the brain (e.g., visual data, haptic feedback).
The Implications for Intelligence
The potential for cognitive enhancement is staggering:
- Direct Knowledge Download: Imagine bypassing the slow process of reading and listening. A BCI could theoretically “write” information directly into the cortex, allowing you to learn a language or a skill in days rather than years.
- Infinite Working Memory: The average human Working Memory can hold about 7 items (plus or minus 2). A BCI could expand this indefinitely, allowing you to hold complex mathematical proofs or entire codebases in your “mind’s eye” at once.
- Telepathy: High-bandwidth communication between humans without speech. This would eliminate the ambiguity of language and drastically increase the speed of collaboration.
3. Genetic Engineering: The “Designer Genius”?
While BCIs augment the brain we have, genetic engineering proposes to build a better brain from the start.
CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing technologies have given us the power to edit the code of life. Scientists have already identified hundreds of genes linked to intelligence (such as FNBP1L and SHANK3). While intelligence is highly polygenic (influenced by thousands of genes), the potential to “optimize” an embryo for higher cognitive potential is theoretically possible.
The “Super-Flynn” Effect
The Flynn Effect describes the gradual rise in IQ scores over the 20th century due to better nutrition and education. Genetic selection could trigger a “Super-Flynn Effect,” creating a generation with an average IQ of 130 or 140.
This raises profound ethical questions. If intelligence becomes a product you can buy, will we see a biological caste system? A “GenRich” elite and a “Natural” underclass?
4. The Rise of “Hybrid Intelligence” (SQ)
We may need a new metric. Traditional IQ tests measure a person’s isolated biological processing power. In the future, we might measure SQ (Synthetic Quotient) or “Hybrid Intelligence.”
SQ = Biological IQ × Technological Integration
A person with an IQ of 100 who is seamlessly integrated with an advanced AI and BCI might vastly outperform a “natural” genius with an IQ of 160 who refuses to use technology. The “smartest” people of 2040 will not be those with the biggest brains, but those with the best bandwidth between their biological brain and their digital extensions.
5. What Remains Human?
If logic, memory, and calculation are outsourced, what is left for us? The answer likely lies in the realms of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), creativity, and philosophical intent.
- Machines answer questions; Humans ask them.
- Machines optimize systems; Humans define values.
- Machines predict the future; Humans imagine it.
The role of the human shifts from “processor” to “architect.”
Conclusion: The Final Frontier
We are no longer just the products of “Nature and Nurture.” We are becoming the products of “Nature, Nurture, and Silicon.”
The future of intelligence isn’t a zero-sum game between humans and machines; it is a synthesis. The humans who embrace this evolution—who view AI not as a rival but as a partner—will define the next century.
Are you ready to upgrade? While we wait for Neuralink, you can still optimize your biological hardware. Explore our guide on Increasing your IQ to see how to sharpen your mind today, before the silicon takes over.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will AI actually make us smarter or dumber?
It depends on how we use it. If we use AI to replace critical thinking (e.g., having it write our essays without our input), our skills may atrophy. If we use it as a tutor and a sparring partner to challenge our ideas, it can accelerate our learning and make us smarter.
How close are we to “uploading” our brains?
We are still very far from “Whole Brain Emulation.” We do not yet understand the neuronal code of consciousness well enough to replicate it digitally. Current BCI technology is about interface, not uploading.
Is high IQ genetic or can technology override it?
Currently, IQ is roughly 50-80% heritable. However, technology acts as a “leveler.” A calculator allows a math novice to outperform a math genius in arithmetic. Similarly, AI could allow an average person to perform cognitive tasks previously reserved for the top 1%.
What is the Singularity?
The Technological Singularity is a hypothetical point in time when AI growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization. This is usually associated with the moment AI becomes capable of recursively improving its own code.