Neuralink Implants Brain Chip in First Human Subject

Elon Musk has announced on Monday that his brain-science startup, Neuralink, has successfully implanted a device in a human, marking a significant advancement toward enabling individuals to control external devices through thought.

Musk revealed the breakthrough on X, stating that the patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, underwent the implant procedure on Sunday and is recovering well. Although details about the device and the procedure were not shared, Musk mentioned promising results in neuron spike detection.

Neuralink's milestone reflects decades of research into brain-computer interfaces aimed at assisting physically disabled individuals and revolutionizing communication methods. However, there has been no independent confirmation of Neuralink's progress, although competitors like Precision Neuroscience achieved similar milestones.

The announcement comes after Neuralink received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its first in-human clinical study eight months ago. Despite the FDA's regulation of medical devices, neither Neuralink nor the FDA has provided additional comments on Musk's announcement.  The company aims to introduce its first product, possibly named Telepathy, which Musk suggests will enable individuals to control phones, computers, and other devices through thought alone.

However, Neuralink has faced allegations of mistreatment of experimental monkeys, although an investigation by the Agriculture Department found no violations apart from a self-reported incident in 2019. 

“Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs,” said Musk through X. “Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal.” He co-founded Neuralink in 2016, adding it to his portfolio of ventures alongside Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink. Additionally, Musk acquired X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2022.

Neuralink's backers include PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, among others. Musk himself announced plans to receive one of the Neuralink implants in 2022, underscoring his commitment to advancing brain-computer interface technology.

Musk has assets in Mexico worth around US$10 billion in the new Tesla plant in Nuevo Leon, which is currently facing delays.