Elon Musk’s Neuralink has released a video showcasing a significant step forward: the first human patient using their brain implant to control a computer cursor and play chess.
Patient Plays Mind Games with Neuralink
The patient, 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who suffered paralysis from a diving accident, describes the experience as akin to using the Force from Star Wars. He can simply “stare somewhere on the screen” to move the cursor.
Musk Tweets “Telepathy”
Excited about the progress, Elon Musk retweeted the video, calling it a demonstration of “telepathy.”
This marks the first public glimpse of a human using Neuralink’s implant, following Musk’s announcement in January about the successful recovery of the initial human trial participant.
Beyond Pong: Chess and Civilization
Arbaugh not only played chess but also enjoyed an eight-hour stint of Civilization VI, albeit with charging breaks for the implant. The FDA approved Neuralink’s human trials last year, and the company is currently seeking additional participants for a six-year study.
Not the First, But a Wireless Leap
While brain-computer interfaces enabling cursor control aren’t entirely new (a similar success story was reported in 2004), Neuralink’s device offers a crucial advantage – wireless data transmission. The earlier technology relied on intrusive wires. Notably, Arbaugh could even manage conversation while controlling the cursor, a point highlighted by The Wall Street Journal.
Experts: Cautious Optimism
Experts like Dr. Kip Ludwig of the Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering acknowledge this as a promising step but not a definitive breakthrough. Other companies like BlackRock and Synchron have shown similar results with paralyzed patients. However, The Wall Street Journal suggests Synchron’s less invasive approach might collect less neural data. Paradromics and Precision Neuroscience are also players in the brain implant race.
Ethical Concerns Linger
Neuralink has faced criticism for its trial methods, particularly the lack of transparency regarding the number of participants and assessed outcomes, according to Wired. Prior animal trials with monkeys were also shrouded in controversy, with reports of euthanasia following complications like brain bleeds and infections.
Beyond Assistive Tech: A Bumpy Road Ahead
While Neuralink’s initial focus is on assistive technology, Musk envisions a future where healthy individuals use implants for cognitive enhancement. This, however, remains a distant prospect.
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