Imran Gadzhiev is one of those developers — and a seasoned expert in the intersection of AI, neurotechnology, and ethical engineering. Previously a core engineer at Insilico Medicine, where he worked on AI tools for pharma R&D, he now serves as a Senior Software Engineer at CNTXT, building enterprise-scale solutions with a focus on generative AI and data-driven systems

In his spare time, he created Axonera — Axon BCI Platform — a non-invasive brain-computer interface that uses a consumer EEG device (Muse 2), custom ML models, and robotics hardware to let users control machines with their thoughts in real time. No surgery, no labs — just practical, thoughtful engineering aimed at making neurotech more accessible.

But Axonera isn’t just a technical demo. It’s a rethinking of who neurotechnology is for — and what it should stand for. Unlike many corporate BCI efforts that focus on scale or monetization, Imran’s goal is deeply human: to restore agency and communication to those who have lost it, whether through disability, injury, or illness. From clinical scenarios to pro bono collaboration, his project shows what happens when deep tech meets ethical intention.

In this conversation, we spoke with Imran about how Axonera works under the hood, the real-world applications of brain signal decoding, and how AI can become a bridge between thought and action — not just for the few, but for anyone.

Why the BCI industry may need to rethink its priorities

According to Imran Gadzhiev, despite major advances in both neurotechnology and machine learning, the BCI industry remains fixated on academic or corporate contexts. Instead of focusing on real-world usability, many BCI systems continue to exist as clinical prototypes or investor-facing demos — far from the everyday lives of people who could truly benefit from them.

In Gadzhiev’s view, the problem is not technical. The core issue is that BCI is still being built around the technology itself — not around the human being.

“Brain interfaces are no longer science fiction, but the industry still treats them like they’re ‘too early’ for real use,” Gadzhiev says.

He points out that many BCI systems — even non-invasive ones — are either surgical, cost-prohibitive, or overly complex for the average user. Projects like Neuralink have captured headlines, but they remain inaccessible for most due to their invasive nature and high cost. Meanwhile, even so-called consumer-grade tools like  OpenBCI are typically aimed at developers, researchers, or hobbyists, rather than ordinary people. Gadzhiev believes this gap highlights a deeper issue: the field continues to prioritize technical experimentation over real-world usability — a mindset he actively challenges through his own work.

Who brain interfaces are really for

Gadzhiev believes it’s time for the industry to shift its focus away from extreme or high-performance use cases and toward more humane, inclusive applications. In his view, brain-computer interfaces should be designed first and foremost for people who need new ways to interact with the world — especially when conventional methods are unavailable.

This could include: individuals with speech or motor impairments; children who are still learning to express themselves; elderly users with limited dexterity; caregivers, educators, and therapists looking for new tools.

“BCIs are not just about neurotech. They’re about restoring agency — the ability to act, express, and connect — even when traditional interfaces are no longer viable,” Gadzhiev says.

Why BCIs remain niche — and what it will take to change that

From Gadzhiev’s perspective, the biggest challenge facing the BCI industry today isn’t hardware — it’s mindset. Many companies still treat BCI like a showcase of what’s possible, rather than building for what’s needed. That often leads to bloated platforms, over-engineered solutions, or narrow medical implementations.

Infrastructure around BCI also remains fragmented: APIs are inconsistent, UX standards are lacking, and meaningful documentation is rare. Algorithms are often opaque. Educational resources are minimal. As a result, even developers struggle to get started — let alone everyday users.

“We’ve had the technical ability to read and respond to brain signals in real time for a while now. The real gap is: who explains why it matters, and what to do with it outside of the lab?” he says.

Moving beyond medicine

While clinical applications of BCI — such as stroke recovery or ALS support — are critically important, Gadzhiev argues that these are just the beginning. He believes the future of neurointerfaces lies in non-medical, everyday contexts.

Among the use cases he sees emerging: adaptive learning systems that respond to attention levels; smart home control without voice or movement; сommunication tools for neurodiverse users; creative and artistic applications powered by cognitive states.

The shift away from purely clinical thinking, he says, is not only possible — it’s necessary.

“We need to stop framing BCI as a medical device. That’s just one of its roles. It can also be an educational tool, a creative medium, or a personal interface,” Gadzhiev notes.

Open-source as necessity, not generosity

Gadzhiev emphasizes that the future of BCI depends on openness — in hardware, software, and values. Without open protocols and public tooling, innovation will remain siloed within corporate labs and academic departments.

“Neurotechnology shouldn’t be a black box. Users have the right to know how it works, what it’s doing with their data, and where its limits are,” he says.

He also highlights the power of community-driven innovation: when developers, teachers, parents, and even students are part of the ecosystem, use cases multiply — and unexpected, transformative applications can emerge.

What the next decade may look like

Gadzhiev envisions a future where brain-computer interfaces are no longer exotic. Instead, they become as mundane — and as empowering — as voice assistants or touchscreens.

To get there, he believes several key shifts are needed:

• Affordable hardware — with consumer-grade BCIs under $200
• Open ecosystems — shared models, open code, standardized tools
• Everyday use cases — not just assistive tech, but expressive and educational
• Cultural reframing — from sci-fi fantasy to human-first interaction

“This isn’t about reading minds or uploading consciousness. It’s about restoring presence. About helping someone be seen, heard, and in control — using nothing but thought,” Gadzhiev says.