Computer interaction has long been shaped by keyboards, touchscreens and clicks. Max Hodak, co-founder of Neuralink and CEO of Science Corporation, believes the next major interface shift could move beyond conventional displays.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Hodak will discuss how brain-computer interfaces may create more adaptive and intuitive ways for people to engage with technology. His "Beyond Screens" session will explore systems designed to respond to neural activity rather than relying solely on physical inputs.
From neural engineering to practical applications
Hodak's work combines software, biomedical engineering and neuroscience. After studying biomedical engineering at Duke University and contributing to brain-computer interface research, he co-founded Neuralink in 2016 and served as its first president. In 2021, he launched Science Corporation to advance neural engineering technologies.
The company is developing biohybrid brain-computer interface systems, with preparations underway for initial human trials in the United States. Its research focuses on potential applications involving vision, cognition and mobility.
Science Corporation's PRIMA retinal implant has also demonstrated the potential of neural technologies to support people with severe vision loss. The system uses a miniature camera and retinal implant to translate visual information into signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
A more human-centered technology era
Hodak's broader vision is not simply to replace screens, but to make digital tools more responsive to individual needs. Future neural sensors could potentially assist with monitoring neurological activity and supporting new therapeutic approaches for conditions affecting movement and cognition.
As brain-computer interfaces mature, they may help shape a future in which technology becomes less dependent on devices in our hands and more seamlessly integrated with human capability.
