Elon Musk Announces Success of First Human Brain Chip Implant
On Sunday, Elon Musk and his company, Neuralink, made the first successful human brain chip implant in a patient, with the billionaire announcing the patient is in good health.
Elon Musk, the brain behind Neuralink and the founder of X (FKA Twitter), shared the human brain chip implant news on his platform, mentioning that the initial results are showing some promising signs of neuron spike detection – tech-speak for the brain communicating effectively with the chip. Neuralink hit a whopping $5 billion valuation in June 2023.
The X CEO, who’s also known for his ventures like SpaceX and Tesla, revealed another fascinating aspect about the brain chip, ‘Telepathy’. According to the National Institute of Neuron Health, these chips resemble small miracle workers, sending information from the brain to the body using electrical and chemical signals.
The most incredible part is that this chip could potentially allow you to control your phone or computer, and virtually any device, just by thinking about it. Imagine the possibilities, especially for people who’ve lost the use of their limbs. Neuralink envisions a world where someone like Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than you and I can type.
On Neuralink’s website, they’ve highlighted how this chip could be a game-changer for quadriplegic patients, giving them the ability to control digital devices with their minds, and this news is only the start of what’s to come.
However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Neuralink. They’ve faced some scrutiny over their safety protocols. Just this month, Reuters reported that they were fined for not following certain rules set by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) concerning the transportation of hazardous materials.
Concern from Lawmakers
In late November, four lawmakers asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to take a closer look at Musk’s claims about the safety of this Neuralink technology. This came after some unsettling findings in veterinary records about chip transplants in monkeys, which included issues like paralysis and swelling of the brain.
While it’s a significant leap forward in technology, it’s clear that Neuralink’s journey is going to be closely watched.
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