Elon Musk's startup neurotechnology company Neuralink has implanted a device in a human brain for the first time, according to the billionaire.
Neuralink was founded in 2016 and is developing implantable brain–computer interfaces.
Elon Musk posted on X Monday, stating “The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”
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
Elon Musk's Neuralink gets FDA approval to start clinical trials
Neuralink said its initial goal is to give people with quadriplegia the "ability to control their computers and mobile devices with their thoughts."
“Brain-machine interface has been going on for several years now, and progress has progressively been made. So this isn’t the first time that's been done. But potentially substantial advancements in the electrode being placed on the brain itself may be happening here, we’ll see,” said Dr. Scott Falci, a neurosurgeon with Falci Institute for Spinal Cord Injuries at Swedish Medical Center.
Neuralink was granted FDA approval for a human study on brain implants back in May 2023. This came as the company was reportedly under investigation for animal cruelty allegations.
The nonprofit organization Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine called for an investigation into the biotech company in September 2023 after the death of a dozen monkeys on which the brain implant was being tested, a statement from the group said.
Neuralink’s first product is called Telepathy, Musk posted on X. It will enable humans to control almost any device just by thinking.
Initial users will be those who have lost use of their limbs, according to Musk’s tweet.
“It can potentially do a great deal in a good way for this patient population in just improving their quality of life on a daily basis,” Dr. Falci said.
@scrippsnews Elon Musk's startup company #Neuralink has implanted a device in a human brain for the first time, according to the billionaire. The implant will allegedly allow users to control almost any device, like a phone or computer, just by thinking. What are your thoughts on this #tech? ♬ original sound - Scripps News
Ethics group calls for probe into Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant
The group claims Musk made false statements about the safety of the device after several test monkeys died due to complications.
