Elon Musk announced Neuralink on the update of the social media platform “X” (Twitter). The company’s implant is a tiny device known as a “Link”. The size of it is equivalent to five coins stacked together and will be surgically placed inside the human brain.
Neuralink, based in California was founded in 2016. The company has a strong workforce of more than 400 individuals, raising over $363 million in funding as per the reports by Pitchbook.
With taking technology to the heights, Musk’s Neuralink has successfully installed a brain implant in a human patient marking a milestone for the neurotechnology firm. Moreover, the first receipt of an implant is recovering well after the procedure.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
The news of Neuralink’s first-ever invention has been shared by Elon Musk on the social media platform X stating that, “The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well”. He continued with “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection”. This new step will follow Neuralink’s receipt of approval from US regulators last year (2023) to commence human trials for their new brain implants.
The new innovation by Musk aims to forge direct communication pathways between the human brain and the latest computer technology. This will not only revolutionize the treatment of neurologic disorders and Parkinson’s disease but also help in enhancing human capabilities. This will foster a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI (Artificial Intelligence).
Although Musk often garners significant media attention for his involvement in interference research, he is not only in this endeavour. Moreover, Musk’s collaboration with Synchron, another implant developer who first inserted an implant into a US patient in July 2022, offers a less invasive installation process, not required to open the skull. This collaboration will bring new technology to the world.
Neuralink has a history of delivering promising developments but faces scrutiny over its safety protocol. The company also faced fines for breaching US Department of Transportation regulations related to hazardous material transportation. On November 2023, US lawmakers urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the claims on Musk, misleading investors about the safety of Neuralink’s brain implant.
As the world is changing with Neuralink’s achievement, this innovation will mark a significant palace in neurotechnology.