AI brain stimulation helps pay attention at home

Researchers have developed a wearable brain stimulation system that can be used at home and is tailored by artificial intelligence to increase attention, especially in people with low baseline attention.

The non-invasive device uses transcranial random noise stimulation (TRN) to provide personalized electrical impulses to the brain and adjusts intensity based on head size and attention level. In a double-blind study, participants who received AI-guided stimulation performed significantly better than those given placebo or one-piece size settings. The results suggest that AI-driven neural stimulation may become a scalable, low-cost tool to enhance ongoing attention in daily life.

Artificial intelligence encounters headband neural technology

The system was developed by the University of Surrey, Oxford and Cognitive Neurotechnology Ltd. and is designed for home use. It combines TRN, a soft, non-stroking form of computer stimulation, and has an adaptive algorithm that understands the optimal stimulation level for each user. This eliminates the need for frequent personalized and expensive MRI scans.

“We have shown that it is possible that using a personalized system can safely and effectively enhance cognitive performance, which people can use independently from their homes,” said Professor Roi Cohen Kadosh, principal author and director of psychology at the University of Surrey. He added that the technology opens new options for “cognitive enhancement that is accessible, adaptable and scalable.”

How brain enhancement works

In this study, 103 participants aged 18 to 35 used the system in 290 family lessons. The AI learned from these data, trained on performance metrics called A’ (signal detection metrics) and performed around the head circle to fine-tune the stimulation dose.

Later, in a follow-up trial with 37 new participants, those who received AI-guided stimulation had stronger improvements in sustained attention than those who used a standard or placebo setting. The biggest achievement was seen among those with lower attention ratings initially.

• Participants with low baseline focus improved the greatest improvement through personalized stimulation
• Those who are at high baseline attention have no added benefits
• The system avoids overstimulation and can reduce performance
• No serious side effects were reported and felt matched with placebo

Real world concerns, real world benefits

Continuous attention (the ability to stay focused over time) is crucial to everything from driving to learning to managing work tasks. However, it is also a fragile resource, especially in our distracted environment. This failure of cognitive function is associated with diseases such as ADHD, depression and long-term mutual interest.

By performing brain training in the living room rather than in the laboratory, the system addresses two long-term obstacles in neurostimulation research: the need for expensive personalization and artificiality of laboratory conditions. Users only need a tablet, CE certified headdress and some quiet space. What’s left in AI.

Not only is smarter, but fairer

Interestingly, the people who benefit the most are those who start with lower cognitive performance. This finding could alleviate ethical issues that neuropathy might amplify cognitive differences. Instead, researchers believe that because of biology or the environment, it can help close the gap by supporting people at a disadvantage.

“Our work highlights the role of AI and wearable neurotechnology in achieving personalized, real-world cognitive enhancement,” Cohen Kadosh said, adding that the tool has future applications in education, vocational training and even clinical treatment.

What’s next?

The team believes that there is potential to explore other brain regions, study long-term effects and apply the same system to clinical populations. As these technologies become more mainstream, they also stress the importance of data privacy and ethical access.

This study marks a promising step towards accessible, adaptive cognitive enhancement – from your desk or kitchen table. And, if your attention is just drifting, maybe you are the kind of person that the system can help most people.

Posted in NPJ Digital Medicine
doi: 10.1038/s41746-025-01744-6

Related