Elon Musk's company Neuralink has successfully implanted a brain chip into a human patient, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to connect brains directly to computers. During an X Spaces event hosted by journalist Katherine Brodsky, Musk announced that the first recipient of the Neuralink brain chip has made a full recovery and can now control a computer mouse with their mind.
The surgery, which was aided by Neuralink's surgical robot, is part of the company's mission to restore lost functions for people with paralysis or vision impairments by allowing them to control computers with their thoughts. Musk stated that the patient is experiencing no ill effects from the procedure and is able to move the mouse around a screen just by thinking.
While Neuralink is still in the early stages of testing and development, Musk envisions a future where the technology can be used to enhance memory and intelligence, in addition to restoring lost functions. However, Musk acknowledges that widespread deployment of the technology is still many years away, as regulators and consumer demand will play a role in determining when healthy individuals can receive brain implants.
In related news, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed skepticism about brain implants and neural interface technology, stating that he would prefer to wait until the technology is more mature before considering its use.
Overall, Neuralink's progress in implanting a brain chip into a human patient is a significant step forward in the field of neurotechnology. While the technology is still in its early stages, Musk remains optimistic about its potential to transform lives and enhance human capabilities in the future.