What’s Neuralink?

Key Takeaways

• Elon Musk’s brain chip company Neuralink is developing computer interfaces that connect to the humans brain.
• Neuralink aims to restore neural activity, providing treatment for paralysis and neurological conditions, and even enhancing cognitive abilities.
• But it also faces significant risks.The private company has faced controversies, particularly regarding its animal testing practices, which led to an FDA investigation into potential animal welfare violations.
• As of 2024, Neuralink began human trials, marking a significant milestone, but the technology remains experimental and inaccessible to the general public.

Elon Musk, one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet with a net worth exceeding $240 billion, has become synonymous with groundbreaking innovation. Musk’s diverse portfolio includes SpaceX, Tesla, and X, each revolutionizing its respective industry. However, among these ventures, Neuralink stands out as perhaps his most mysterious and controversial project. 

Neuralink envisions a future where human brains can interface directly with computers, potentially revolutionizing how we live and communicate. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the world’s first brain implant, how it works, and what it means for the future.

What Is Neuralink?

Elon Musk and a group of engineers and neuroscientists founded Neuralink in 2016 to develop ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to connect humans and computers. The company’s primary product, “The Link,” is a small, coin-sized device designed to be implanted into the human brain. It seeks to facilitate communication between neurons and computers, enabling the brain to interact with digital devices.

In 2024, the privately held company made headlines by implanting its brain chip into a human subject for the first time. This development followed years of animal testing and regulatory hurdles, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely monitoring the company’s progress. 

Despite its seemingly noble ambitions, Neuralink has been mired in controversy. In particular, there have been concerns about the ethics and risks associated with brain implants.

How Does Neuralink Brain Implant Work?

At the heart of Neuralink’s mission lies “The Link,” a device designed to be implanted directly into the brain. The system involves several key components:

• Electrodes: The Link contains thousands of tiny implant threads, thinner than a human hair, designed to be inserted into the brain’s cortex. These electrodes detect neural signals and relay this information to a computer for processing.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: The Link communicates wirelessly with external devices, enabling real-time data transfer between the brain and computers or smartphones.
• Surgical Robot: To implant The Link, Neuralink has developed a specialized surgical robot that can accurately place the electrodes in the brain. This robot is designed to minimize damage to brain tissue during the implantation process.
• Neurosurgical Interface: The implant is equipped with brain computer interfaces that transfer data between the brain and the device.

Together, these elements create a system that could revolutionize the way humans interact with technology, potentially allowing for direct brain control over digital devices.

What Will Neuralink Do for Humans?

Neuralink claims its brain computer interface will eventually provide a treatment for neurological conditions, from spinal cord injuries to sensory issues. Here’s how the chip could impact human health and functions:

Restore Mobility

Neuralink aims to help individuals with paralysis regain control over their limbs. By bypassing damaged nerves and directly interfacing with the brain, The Link could enable paralyzed individuals to move prosthetic limbs or even stimulate their own muscles.

Improve Communication for Non-verbal Individuals

For those who are unable to speak due to neurological conditions, the Neuralink device could provide a new way to communicate. By translating brain signals into text or speech, its brain computer interface could enable non-verbal individuals to speak.

Treat Neurological Conditions

Neuralink’s technology could be used to treat a range of neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and depression. By stimulating specific areas of the brain, The Link could alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with these conditions.

Enhance Cognitive Abilities

Beyond medical applications, Musk has suggested that Neuralink could be used to enhance cognitive ability. It could allow humans to process information faster, improve memory, or even communicate telepathically.

Is Neuralink Being Used on Humans?

Neuralink began its first human trials in May 2024. The recipient was Noland Arbaugh, who was left quadriplegic by spinal cord injury sustained during a dive. Following the procedure, Arbaugh could control a computer cursor with his thoughts.

The experiment enjoyed limited success. Immediately after the implant, Arbaugh himself expressed support for Neuralink, claiming the device has improved his life tremendously. However, the Wall Street Journal reported the device had only been able to receive limited data. A few months later, the patient revealed that 85% of the implant threads had detached from his brain.

Nonetheless, the move marked significant progress for the company, and testing was subsequently expanded to more patients.

The decision to move forward with human trials followed years of research and development, including extensive testing on animals. The FDA approved these trials after reviewing the safety and efficacy of the technology. While the results are yet to be fully disclosed, this milestone represents a major leap in the development of brain-machine interfaces.

Neuralink Animal Testing Concerns

Despite the recent success in human trials, the journey has not been without controversy for the makers of the first brain implant. The company has faced criticism from animal rights groups and scrutiny from regulatory bodies regarding its animal testing practices. In 2022, the FDA launched an investigation into Neuralink after reports emerged of potential animal welfare violations during preclinical trials. 

The investigation focused on whether the company’s research practices adhered to ethical standards and whether the testing procedures caused undue harm to the animals involved. Neuralink has defended its testing practices, stating that they are essential for developing safe and effective technology. 

The controversy raised important ethical questions about using animals in the development of brain-machine interfaces and the potential risks associated with these technologies.

What Are the Risks of Neuralink?

While Neuralink holds immense promise, it also comes with significant risks. Some of the potential risks associated with the technology include:

• Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection when implanting The Link into the brain.
• Brain Damage: The insertion of electrodes into the brain could cause damage to brain tissue, potentially leading to neurological complications.
• Device Malfunction: There is a possibility that The Link could malfunction, leading to incorrect stimulation of the brain.
• Privacy Concerns: The ability to access and interpret brain data raises serious privacy concerns, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Unknown Long-Term Effects: The Link is still in its early stages and its long-term effects are still unknown.
• Ethical Issues: The use of brain-machine interfaces raises ethical questions about human enhancement, consent, and the potential for misuse of the technology.

Can I Buy a Neuralink Chip?

At the time of writing, the implants are not available for purchase by the general public. The technology is still in an experimental phase, with human trials currently underway. Participation in these trials is limited to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, and the selection process is overseen by medical professionals and regulatory bodies.

While it may be years before Neuralink’s technology becomes widely available, the company’s progress suggests that it could eventually become a commercial product.

The Future of Neuralink

Neuralink represents a bold vision for the future of human-computer interaction. By enabling direct communication between the brain and digital devices, the device has the potential to revolutionize various fields. However, the road ahead is full of challenges, including ethical concerns, regulatory hurdles, and technical risks.

Elon Musk has positioned himself as a vanguard of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in technology. Neuralink could become one of his most impactful ventures, offering new hope to millions of people with mobility and sensory impairments.