Mind and machine: The state of neurotech in 2025

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are advancing rapidly, from academic prototypes into clinical use and emerging consumer applications. They’re entering hospitals, clinical trials, investment portfolios, and even consumer tech roadmaps. 

So how close are we, really, to integrating mind and machine?

We’ve gathered data from recent market research to understand where the industry stands right now, and where it might be heading. 

A market on the move 

According to the 2025 research from Mordor Intelligence, the global brain-computer interface market is projected to reach USD $1.27 billion in 2025, and grow to $2.11 billion by 2030. That’s a compound annual growth rate of over 10%, driven largely by rising demand in healthcare and rehabilitation.

If we zoom out, the broader neurotechnology sector (which includes BCIs alongside technologies like neurostimulation and neuromodulation) is expected to climb from $15.77 billion in 2025 to nearly $30 billion by 2030. This trajectory reflects a shift from early-stage experimentation to more mature, market-ready applications.

What’s behind the surge? A combination of increasingly sophisticated hardware, AI-powered neural signal decoding, and growing investor confidence in the space. The demand for better tools to support communication, mobility, and cognitive rehabilitation is also rising – particularly in ageing populations and among people recovering from strokes, spinal injuries, or neurodegenerative diseases.

Non-invasive tech dominates (for now) 

For now, the majority of BCI revenue comes from non-invasive systems – devices that read brain signals using EEG sensors placed on the scalp. In 2024, these made up around 76.5% of the BCI market, thanks to their accessibility and lower risk profiles. They’re widely used in research settings, assistive tech, and even early consumer applications like meditation headbands and attention-tracking tools.

But the real frontier lies in more complex systems; including invasive and partially invasive BCIs that can be implanted directly into or onto the brain. These promise much higher fidelity in signal capture, enabling more precise control over prosthetics, communication tools, and the potential restoration of lost senses. 

Startups like Paradromics and Synchron are leading the charge here, developing implants that wirelessly transmit neural data through the skin using optical signals and inductive power. Their systems are already being trialled in humans, with a focus on restoring communication for people living with severe paralysis.

And while the technical challenges are steep (from biocompatibility to signal clarity and long-term durability) progress is steady. In the US, multiple companies now hold FDA Breakthrough Device designations; and we’re likely to see broader clinical use within the next few years.

Consumer BCIs are coming 

A lot of the current activity in neurotech is focused on healthcare. But the sector isn’t stopping there. IDTechEx projects that the BCI market will exceed $1.6 billion by 2045, with applications expanding into consumer tech, augmented reality, and digital communication tools.

Think AR glasses you can control with your thoughts. Or gaming systems that respond to your focus levels and emotional state. While some potential use cases are still speculative, the technology that will enable them is already in development – and startups like OpenBCI, Neurable, and NextMind (now acquired by Snap Inc.) are experimenting with ways to make brain control intuitive, wearable, and scalable.

IDTechEx’s long-term view also includes detailed analysis of the trade-offs between different interface types. While non-invasive systems dominate now, it’s the invasive platforms that offer the most promise in terms of signal quality; which makes them key to more advanced use cases in the future.

Hype vs. reality 

It’s tempting to get swept up in the sci-fi narrative. Telepathic communication! Mind-controlled metaverses! Human-AI hybrids! But the real story is more grounded – and arguably, more exciting.

Right now, BCIs are already enabling paralysed individuals to communicate using neural signals alone. They’re powering robotic limbs and restoring partial mobility. They’re supporting stroke rehabilitation and opening up new avenues for treatment-resistant depression. 

Of course, challenges remain. Ethical and regulatory questions are looming: How do we protect mental privacy? Who owns the data from your brain? And what does consent look like when dealing with thoughts rather than actions?

Commercial scaling is another major hurdle. Healthcare systems will need robust reimbursement models for BCI interventions to become accessible; and consumer markets have to tread carefully to avoid gimmickry and preserve trust.

So, how close are we? 

If the question is how close are we to truly integrating mind and machine, we have to define what that integration really looks like. If we define it as medical-grade neural interfaces that support communication, mobility, and rehabilitation… we’re already there. If we mean widespread consumer adoption, with neurotech woven into our daily digital experiences – that’s still a way off, but fast approaching.

Neurotechnology is no longer just the stuff of imagination. It’s a fast-growing market, a clinical tool, and increasingly, a playground for innovation. As BCIs improve and regulatory frameworks evolve, the boundaries between brain and machine will continue to blur – which will dramatically change how we live, heal, and connect.