Global Brain Computer-Interface market expected to grow to 3.1 billion by 2030

The program coordinator for Humber’s biomedical science program Matthew DaCosta says the polytechnic should concentrate on machine learning artificial intelligence courses to help graduates adapt to the industry of brain-computer interface technologies. DaCosta is an instructor and program coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program.

DaCosta thinks Humber Polytechnic should offer students programs in machine learning modules to help give students a professional path into the BCI industry. “In the biomedical sciences program, one of the major pieces of feedback that we got in curriculum development from our program advisory committee was the inclusion of machine learning artificial intelligence courses. Graduates are going out into industry with very little exposure to modern artificial intelligence to modern machine learning modules. I do think it is relevant to the program to learn the physical function of capturing neural signals from biological tissue,” says DaCosta.

A report published in December 2024 titled “Brain Computer Interface – Global Strategic Business Report” by Research and Markets values the global brain-computer interface (BCI) market at $1.5 billion USD. It predicts the market will double to $3.1 billion USD by 2030. The report says some of the leading causes for growth are healthcare and rehabilitation in spinal cord injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Machine learning, AI, and neuroimaging will continue to improve accuracy and efficiency of BCIs. Brain-computer interface technology is simply connecting your brain to a device either implanted or placed on the head, for a computer to read your brain signals. The computer analyzes the signals to create a command for machines.

This makes it possible for people with spinal injuries to control a wheelchair, or prosthetic limb. The brain signals are neural electrical activity and neurotransmitters. A device can be placed on the head like a headband to read sleeping patterns. They have to be surgically placed inside the skull or right in the brain.

Development in more affordable BCI systems in gaming and virtual reality are also becoming more accessible, driving new interest outside of the medical industry. Research and Market already released over a dozen reports in 2024 related to BCI technology.

DaCosta says he thinks the immediate use case in the medical industry will be generally accepted to fix neuro diseases, disorders and injuries. He says he agrees with enhancing healthy brains with BCI, and feels the public would be interested. “Yeah, I think it’s promising for helping people that have either neurodegenerative diseases, or neurological disorders or injuries. I’m definitely for both medical and enhancement purposes but I would rather allocate resources to developing the technology to help people restore brain function or give them a little bit more functionality to injured brains or injured bodies. Enhancement is a secondary priority,”  says DaCosta.

InteraXon, Inc. is a Toronto-based company mentioned in the BCI report. The company specializes in BCIs and electroencephalography-powered devices designed to enhance meditation, relaxation, and sleep. Their showcase product is the Muse headband. It analyzes real-time neurofeedback to help users improve their overall mental health by increasing focus, reducing stress, and optimizing their sleep patterns. This product is used by professionals, athletes and clinicians.

Ervin Sejdic is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, and also a research chair in Artificial Intelligence for Health Outcomes in North York General Hospital. Along with Professor Xilin Liu, they teach a new course called “Interfacing and Modulating the Nervous System” for fourth-year undergraduate students in engineering. 

“Typically an undergraduate engineering student goes through four years of rigorous math and science based curriculum. Often we neglect to tell the students how their undergraduate knowledge really kind of transfers into reality. For many students they think power systems are like designing cars but many of these students don’t realize that they could actually be involved in the design of medical systems to enhance human health,” says Sejdic.

Sejdic agrees the medical industry is the biggest use case for BCI technology. He says the growth in the BCI industry is not surprising because as the population of older people gets larger, it will increase demand for these technologies. These special BCI devices will also become more common outside the walls of conventional hospitals. 

Sejdic cites the work of Dr.Taufik A. Valiante of how the industry continues to move forward in Canada. Dr. Valiante is a neurosurgeon and scientist at the University of Toronto, specializing in epilepsy surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and cranial neurosurgery. He focuses on developing next-generation devices to treat neuropsychiatric conditions.