Limitations in the Full Replication of Human Consciousness by Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Biological and Mathematical Analysis
Applied and Computational Engineering July 13, 2026 DOI: 10.54254/2755-2721/2026.ld35365 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Replication statistics Replicate Perspective graphical Neural activity Human brain Interface matter Biological neural network Cognitive science Cognitive psychology Exposition narrative Artificial intelligence Signal programming language |
| Key findings | Human consciousness cannot be fully replicated by brain-computer interfaces due to technical limitations, the non-replicability of subjective experience and nonlinear neural activity, and the lack of engineerable equations in consciousness theories. |
Abstract
The rapid development of brain-computer interfaces has made memory uploading, brain controlling of some basic functions of computers, and the treatment of diseases or disabilities like paralysis and blindness possible. However, human consciousness cannot be fully replicated. This paper analyzes why brain-computer interface (BCI) cannot completely replicate human consciousness via a literature review method from three aspects: the limitations of BCI technology, the non-replicability of consciousness, and the challenges of interdisciplinary integration. Research shows that technical issues such as low signal precision and data scarcity restrict its reliability, subjective experiences and nonlinear neural activities of consciousness are difficult to simulate by programs, and that decoding neural signals is not equivalent to reproducing consciousness. Existing theories of consciousness lack engineerable equations, so human consciousness cannot be replicated completely under current situation.