In January, Neuralink, Elon Musk’s venture, unveiled its progress on its first human implant. Noland Arbaugh, paralyzed from a diving mishap, demonstrated his ability to play chess on a computer using the Neuralink chip in a nine-minute X Livestream. Neuralink aims to bridge human brains and computers, addressing complex neurological issues.
Arbaugh described the implant procedure as straightforward. The 29-year-old managed an eight-hour Civilization VI session, courtesy of Neuralink, despite acknowledging the technology’s imperfections.
The coin-sized device, implanted in Arbaugh’s skull, employs tiny wires to monitor neural activity and wirelessly communicate with an external receiver.
In May 2023, the FDA approved Neuralink’s human trials following successful pig and monkey experiments. These trials showed monkeys controlling a simple Pong game, indicating Neuralink’s potential in technological advancements and commercial applications.
