A Century of Brainwaves: Looking Ahead to the Next 100 Years of EEG and the Future of Mind and Brain

In 2024, marks the 100th anniversary of the world’s first recording of human brainwaves (EEG: electroencephalography).

To commemorate this milestone, over 500 neuroscientists and professionals from around the world gathered to share their visions for the future of EEG — how this technology might evolve and influence healthcare and our daily lives. Our CEO, Maro Machizawa, was one of the co-authors of the published paper in Nature Human Behaviour.

In this article, I would like to break down the key ideas from the paper into simple, digestible insights — even if you’re not a neuroscience expert.

What is EEG, anyway?

EEG (electroencephalography) is a technique that records brain activity in real time.

In 1924, German psychiatrist Hans Berger successfully captured electrical signals from the human brain — a groundbreaking moment that laid the foundation for modern EEG.

This non-invasive method allows us to “see” what we’re thinking or feeling by measuring our brain’s electrical rhythms. Over the past century, EEG has become an essential tool in clinical settings for diagnosing conditions like epilepsy or sleep disorders.

100 Years of EEG: Turning Thoughts into Data

Berger’s discovery opened the door to something once thought impossible: observing the brain in action. Since then, EEG has rapidly advanced:

• A key medical tool　

  EEG is now widely used to detect epilepsy, monitor brain activity during surgery, and diagnose various brain disorders.

  
  

• A gateway to understanding cognition

  From memory and attention to emotions, EEG has helped us explore how the mind works.

  
  

• More accessible than ever

  Once limited to hospitals and research labs, EEG technology is now available in compact, portable forms — even for consumer use.

EEG has helped transform the “invisible” world of thought into something we can measure and explore — and this journey is just beginning.

What the Future Holds for EEG

According to the paper, here are some of the exciting possibilities for EEG in the years to come:

• Brain-monitoring devices for everyone　

  Imagine checking your mental focus or stress levels as easily as checking your smartwatch.

  
  

• Real-time feedback powered by AI

  AI could interpret brain signals to help us manage concentration, fatigue, or emotional well-being instantly.

  
  

• Early detection of diseases

  Subtle brain changes linked to dementia or developmental disorders may soon be identified before symptoms appear.

  
  

• Transforming education and work　

  By tracking when our brains are most “ready to learn,” EEG could help tailor environments for optimal performance.

But for EEG to truly benefit society, three core values matter

The paper emphasizes that beyond technological innovation, we must focus on:

1. Validity

   Ensuring data is reliable, reproducible, and accurate across different contexts and users.

   
   

2. Democratization

   Making EEG accessible to people worldwide — regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.

   
   

3. Responsibility

   Protecting mental privacy and minimizing environmental impact as brain data becomes more widely collected.

   
   

Our Commitment at Xiberlinc

At Xiberlinc, we’re deeply committed to bringing EEG into real-world applications — from mental health to education, workplace well-being, and even creativity. We believe EEG won’t just revolutionize medicine, but could reshape how we live, learn, and connect as humans.

This paper is more than a forecast — it’s a time capsule. The decisions we make today will shape how EEG contributes to society for the next 100 years. Stay tuned as we continue to explore and build this brain-connected future together.