China could see brain-computer interface (BCI) technology move into practical ​public use within three to five years as products mature, a leading BCI expert said, ‌as Beijing races to catch up with U.S. startups including Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

Beijing elevated BCIs to a core future strategic industry in its new five-year plan released this week, placing it alongside sectors such as quantum, embodied AI, 6G and nuclear fusion.