Neuralink, Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, released a video of Noland Arbaugh, the first human patient with a brain implant, playing virtual chess and computer games. After a diving accident paralysed him from the shoulders down, Arbaugh was amazed by his newfound abilities, including playing video games and learning Japanese and French with his mind.
The January Neuralink brain implant is a crucial step towards brain-computer interfacing. Arbaugh’s experience shows that this technology could transform neurological illnesses like ALS and Parkinson’s.
Neuralink’s success is exciting, but experts advise patience and post-implantation development. The previous programme director for neural engineering at the US National Institutes of Health, Kip Ludwig, stressed the “learning life” for Neuralink and patients to improve control and information exchange.
The brain-computer interface Neuralink intends to build would allow the brain and computers to communicate indirectly, improving human capacities and the interaction with artificial intelligence. Neuralink faces regulatory scrutiny and the need for constant refinement, but its progress could revolutionise brain-machine interface research, healthcare, and human-computer interaction.
Stay tuned as we update you on Neuralink’s progress and its efforts to redefine brain-machine interfaces and change our expectations.
