{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1712550,
        "msgid": "america-caught-off-guard-as-china-develops-superhuman-technology-with-harvard-scientists-help-1777621996",
        "date": "2026-05-01 14:07:35",
        "title": "America Caught Off Guard as China Develops 'Superhuman' Technology with Harvard Scientist's Help",
        "author": "Teguh Firmansyah",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Technology",
        "summary": "Charles Lieber, a former Harvard professor convicted in the US for lying about payments from China, has relocated to Shenzhen to lead a state-funded institute focused on brain-computer interface technology. This research, prioritised by the Chinese government, aims to advance medical treatments but also holds potential for military applications, such as creating enhanced 'super soldiers' with improved mental agility. The development underscores China's aggressive push in neurotechnology, potentially positioning Shenzhen as a global leader and raising concerns in the US about technology transfer and national security.",
        "content": "<p>A US scientist convicted for lying to American authorities about\nreceiving payments from China while researching at Harvard University\nhas rebuilt his research laboratory in Shenzhen, China. The laboratory\nis dedicated to pursuing technology identified by the Chinese government\nas a national priority: implanting a type of electronic chip into the\nhuman brain. Charles Lieber, 67, is among the world\u2019s leading\nresearchers in brain-computer interface studies. This technology has\nshown potential in treating conditions like ALS and restoring movement\nin paralysed patients. However, it also has potential military\napplications. Scientists in China\u2019s People\u2019s Liberation Army have been\ninvestigating brain-computer interfaces as a means to engineer \u2018super\nsoldiers\u2019 by enhancing mental agility and situational awareness,\naccording to a US Department of Defense report. Lieber was found guilty\nby a jury and sentenced in December 2021 for making false statements to\nfederal investigators about his ties to a Chinese government programme\nto recruit foreign talent. He also violated tax provisions related to\npayments received from a Chinese university. He served two days in\nprison and six months of house arrest, was fined $50,000, and ordered to\npay $33,600 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. During the\ntrial, his defence claimed he was suffering from incurable lymphoma,\nwhich was in remission at the time, and was fighting for his life. Three\nyears after his sentencing, Reuters has learned that Lieber now oversees\ni-BRAIN, a Chinese state-funded institute for Brain Research, Advanced\nInterface, and Neurotechnology, with access to specialised\nnanofabrication equipment and primate research infrastructure\nunavailable to him at Harvard. The laboratory is part of the Shenzhen\nAcademy of Medical Research and Translation, or SMART. \u2018I arrived on 28\nApril 2025 with a dream and not much else, perhaps a few bags of\nclothes,\u2019 Lieber said about his move to China at a Shenzhen government\nconference in December. \u2018Personally, my goal is to make Shenzhen the\nworld leader.\u2019<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/america-caught-off-guard-as-china-develops-superhuman-technology-with-harvard-scientists-help-1777621996",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}