From Restoring Sight to Reimagining the Brain, with Max Hodak

Max Hodak, co-founder and CEO of Science.xyz, joins Sarah Guo to discuss the future of vision, brain-computer interfaces, and the human experience. Max explains how Science’s PRIMA retinal implant could restore functional vision for people who have lost their sight, and why treating the brain as a computational system could unlock new approaches to medicine. They explore the broader potential of neural devices, from restoring lost capabilities to expanding human potential, as well as deeper questions around identity, consciousness, and whether the human experience can persist as our biological hardware changes. Max also shares Science’s long-term vision for reducing the fragility of the human condition by repairing, replacing, and ultimately upgrading parts of ourselves. Finally, he discusses the surprising parallels between AI models and biological brains, and why AI may offer a powerful new lens for understanding intelligence. Chapters: 00:00 – Cold Open Trailer 00:45 – Max Hodak Introduction 01:03 – Science Company Overview and Origin 01:57 – A Revolutionary Solve for Blindness  05:38 – Scope of Timeline and Engineer Cost 08:20 – Clinic Trial Process 09:01 - The Response from Clinicians 11:31 – Broader Biotech Landscape 14:59 – Max’s Interests in Biotech Discovery 16:45 – The Study of Consciousness  19:04 – Investments in Brain Computer Interface 21:21 – Fertile Ways to Study Neuroscience 23:54 – Biotech Expansion for Science Corporation 26:59 – What Success Looks Like in Neuroscience and Tech 28:14 - Goals Within Human Preservation vs. Adaptation  29:22 – Conclusion