Precision Neuroscience

Here is Episode 2 of my new podcast dedicated to conversations on the future of neurotech, computing, intelligence, and more. My guest Dr. Ben Rapoport is co-founder and CSO of Precision Neuroscience (@PrecisionNeuro_), Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Scientific Director at Mount Sinai. Previously, he co-founded Neuralink and Simbionics (acquired by Apple). Precision is building a minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that reads from thousands of points on the cortex without penetrating it. The Layer 7 device is implanted through a one-millimeter slit in the skull rather than the larger borehole other approaches require. It is also fully removable. Precision seeks to help the 5 million people living with severe paralysis in the US (including 800,000 new stroke cases per year). In March 2025, Precision received FDA clearance for a temporary wired version of the system. Over 85 patients have been implanted with and used the device in clinical studies (50 at the time of our conversation). Wireless implants are planned for 2027. We go deep on the history of Neurotech from the 1980s to the ML inflection points that triggered Neuralink's founding, why surface ECoG was a contrarian bet that's now paying off, the path to treating paralysis and stroke at scale, and why Ben believes neural data is at the same inflection point genomic data was in 2000 — a whole class of biological problems about to become tractable as computer science problems. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:39 Paralysis as a lens to understand the brain 00:05:36 The 1980s breakthrough: population encoding and the birth of BCI 00:14:36 Google Translate, ML, and the founding of Neuralink 00:23:08 What is the long-term vision of Precision Neuroscience 00:31:56 Layer 7 and why transformative technology looks impossible at first 00:50:21 The surgery: a slit in the skull, not a borehole 00:55:19 The clinical program: who are the patients 01:04:16 FDA clearance and the path to wireless implants in 2027 01:08:32 The patient population: paralysis and stroke at scale 01:16:26 Neural data as the new genomics 01:30:06 BCIs, AI, and the future of the human-machine interface 01:31:22 From medical necessity to lifestyle technology 01:40:36 Precision as a platform — and an optimistic vision If you're interested in these kinds of discussions, subscribe to the podcast. And if there’s anyone you’d like to see or hear on the podcast, reply with your suggestions. Full Episode 2 here and in other platforms below.

Genomics didn't just improve medicine, it turned biology into a computer science problem. @PrecisionNeuro_'s Dr. Benjamin Rapoport thinks that's what's starting to happen with the brain. The data is starting to prove him right.

Precision Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder Ben Rapoport joined @ProtocolLabs founder @JuanBenet to talk about what BCIs can do right now for patients and what they signal for the future of how humans and computers interact. juanbenetpodcast.com/p/ben-rapoport…

Precision's @Michael_MagerNY at #Milken2026 on @BloombergTV: "There are around 6 million people globally who are completely tetraplegic — that's an addressable market in the hundreds of billions. But the promise of brain-computer interfaces goes way beyond paralysis." Full interview below. bloomberg.com/news/videos/20…

The brain is the most complex interface. We're learning to read it. Precision is partnering with @UChicagoMed to advance AI-driven sensorimotor function and neuroprosthetics research. Layer 7 has now been placed in 85+ people. globenewswire.com/news-release/2…

Precision Neuroscience’s Layer 7 has won a 2026 Webby Award! Layer 7 was recognized in the AI in Healthcare & Life Sciences category, alongside other leading AI innovators such as @Google, @Waymo and @AnthropicAI. @TheWebbyAwards celebrate ideas that shape culture. This milestone reflects the dedication of our team and the potential of @PrecisionNeuro_'s BCI to transform people's lives. We're grateful for the recognition—and even more motivated for what’s ahead! #Webbys

Excited to see innovation at the forefront of #neuroscience and human health at this year’s @WestVirginiaU Public Education Collaborative "Focus Forward" conference. @JaymeStrauss, Chief Clinical Officer at Precision Neuroscience, and Dr. @PeterKonrad12, Chair of #Neurosurgery at WVU Medicine Health Sciences, will join Dr. @ClayMarsh, Chancellor and Executive Dean of @WVUhealth Sciences, for a compelling fireside chat: “Brain-Computer Interface: The Future of Mind-Reading Biotech is Here.” This conversation will explore how groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind clinical trials are leveraging globally unique neurotechnology to unlock new possibilities—bringing renewed hope for improved quality of life and transformative advances in human health. Learn more about the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative conference here:  go.wvu.edu/Focus26 #FocusForwardWV #BrainComputerInterface @PrecisionNeuro_

On #NationalDoctorsDay, @PrecisionNeuro_ would like to express deep gratitude for the #Physicians who have dedicated their lives to the care of others, and especially those living with severe #NeurologicalConditions. Your work goes far beyond medicine. It requires patience, resilience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to your patients and their families—often through long, complex, and emotionally demanding journeys. To the #Neurologists, #RehabilitationSpecialists, #Neurosurgeons, and all #HealthcareProfessionals in this space: thank you for your compassion, your expertise, and your relentless pursuit of better outcomes. #Gratitude #HealthcareHeroes #PatientCare #DoctorsDay #ThankYouDoctors #AIinHealthcare

We’re excited to share that Vivek Pinto, Director of Medical Affairs at Precision Neuroscience, is speaking today at the @OctaneOC Neuro Tech Forum—an event bringing together leading voices in neurotechnology to discuss the future of innovation in the field. Vivek will be part of the “BCI: The Evolution of the Revolution” panel, alongside experts from @Satori_Capital, @BlackrockNeuro_, and @Cognixion_AI. The discussion will dive into the latest advancements in brain-computer interfaces, including emerging wearable and implantable solutions. If you’re attending Neuro Tech Forum today, and interested in the future of BCIs and the innovations shaping this rapidly evolving space, make sure to catch this panel! Friday, March 27th, 2026, 2:00pm - 2:30pm. #Neurotech #BrainComputerInterface #NeuroTechForum #NTF2026 @PrecisionNeuro_

We’re hiring — come build the future of brain-computer interfaces! At Precision Neuroscience, we’re developing next-generation BCI technology designed to restore communication and independence for people living with severe neurological conditions. To accelerate this mission, we’re expanding our team across engineering, clinical, product, and operations. We’re currently hiring for: • Equipment Engineer • Clinical Data Scientist • Staff Software Engineer • Executive Assistant • Senior Mechanical Engineer (Implant Hardware) • Field Clinical Specialist • Vice President of Market Access • Full-Stack Software Engineer • Real-Time Software Engineer • Electronics Engineer Test • Staff Neuroscientist • Staff Machine Learning Scientist • Senior Technical Program Manager • Product Manager If you’re excited about building technology that can truly change lives, working at the intersection of neuroscience, AI, and hardware, alongside a multidisciplinary team tackling some of the hardest and most meaningful problems in medicine — we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about the positions at @PrecisionNeuro_ and apply: precisionneuro.io/careers #EngineeringJobs #MechanicalEngineering #HardwareEngineering #TestEngineering #SoftwareEngineering #FullStackDeveloper #DataScience #MachineLearning #AIJobs #ComputationalNeuroscience #Neurotechnology #ClinicalSpecialist #ProductManagement #ExecutiveAssistant #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare