Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02467-x
As part of our special issue on neurotechnology, we spoke with Miguel Nicolelis, Professor Emeritus at Duke University and founder of the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute, about the bold ideas that have defined his career, from helping to pioneer brain–machine interfaces to establishing a neuroscience institute in northeastern Brazil with the goal of driving social transformation. He considers the scientific discoveries, technological hurdles and ethical questions that continue to shape the future of neural interfaces and neurorehabilitation.