Elon Musk has announced that the first Neuralink chip has been implanted into the brain of a human test subject who is currently recovering.
Musk, also the mind behind Tesla and SpaceX, revealed that the product, dubbed 'Telepathy,' holds the potential to revolutionize communication for individuals with disabilities, envisioning a future where users like Stephen Hawking could "communicate faster than an auctioneer," per Sky News.
"Initial results show promising neuron spike detection," Musk shared on X, the social media platform he owns.
Musk also stated that the individual who received the implant is "recovering well".
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for human trials of Neuralink's brain chips last year. This followed extensive testing on various animals, including pigs, sheep, and monkeys, a move that attracted criticism from animal rights groups.
Concerns were raised after veterinary records indicated issues with the implants in monkeys, including paralysis, seizures, and brain swelling.
Musk, in a social media post in September, said that "no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant," explaining that the company chose "terminal" monkeys to minimize risks to healthy ones.
"The last two years have been all about focus on building a human-ready product," stated Neuralink co-founder DJ Seo in an interview with Bloomberg News in November. "It’s time to help an actual human being."
The brain chip, equipped with 1,000 electrodes, aims to enable individuals to wirelessly execute computer functions by simply thinking about them, using a "think-and-click" mechanism.
Neuralink had recently announced its search for quadriplegics under 40 years old to participate in the human trials. The surgical procedure involves removing part of the patient's skull before a 7-foot-tall robot named R1 takes over to implant 64 threads lined with electrodes into the brain.
These electrodes are programmed to collect data about the brain, specifically focusing on neural activity associated with movement intention.
"The short-term goal of the company is to build a generalized brain interface and restore autonomy to those with debilitating neurological conditions and unmet medical needs," explained Seo, who also holds the title of vice president for engineering.
"Then, really, the long-term goal is to have this available for billions of people and unlock human potential and go beyond our biological capabilities."
Despite these achievements, Neuralink has faced scrutiny over its safety protocols. Earlier this month, the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation rules relating to the transportation of hazardous materials.
In November, four politicians urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Musk misled investors about the safety of Neuralink's technology.
So, would you get a Neuralink chip?
