By Maya Menashe, Staff Writer
Elon Musk is undoubtedly a major pioneer in technology. From fully self-driving cars to his plans to send people to space, his bold claims are definitely not foreign to those in the realm of technology and beyond. Musk not only has big aspirations, but also consistently achieves his goals, as seen with SpaceX and Tesla. One of his major innovations focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence and will change the world at large forever: Neuralink.
Co-founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink is a neurotechnology company that develops implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) with the sole purpose of helping individuals who suffer from paralysis or neurological conditions to perform daily tasks more efficiently. BCIs are devices that interpret brain activity into commands for external devices such as computers, smartphones, prosthetics, and more. Neuralink’s coin-sized BCI implant, known as “the link,” uses flexible, hair-like threads embedded with hundreds of electrodes to record the activity of individual neurons. These electrodes are then transmitted back to the brain using electrical stimulation allowing users to control the devices merely through thought.
Neuralink received its first FDA approval in May 2023, a milestone that allowed the company to transition from animal studies to human clinical trials. As part of a preliminary clinical trial, in January, Elon Musk’s team implanted “the link” into the brain of recipient Noland Arbaugh. Arbaugh is a quadriplegic who has paralysis in all four of his limbs from a spinal cord injury due to a diving accident in 2016. Before Neuralink, Arbaugh was heavily reliant on both his wheelchair and family members to perform simple tasks. After “the link” was implanted in his brain, he gained much more independence and was able to control his computer without any support. “It’s just made me more independent, and that helps not only me but everyone around me,” Arbaugh said about how this technology has been transformative for his daily life, making tasks such as sending text messages much faster and simpler. “It makes me feel less helpless and like less of a burden.”
Neuralink will undeniably revolutionize medical devices and treatment options for those with neurological conditions. Its BCI technology can potentially restore mobility in those who have lost it. A man paralyzed from the neck down may eventually be able to walk without support. A woman with Parkinson’s disease may eventually have improved coordination. Neuralink may also enhance memory and cognitive abilities by targeting their specific neurological pathways.
Despite the promising potential of the technology behind Neuralink, there are concerns both about its safety as well as its ethics. Ethicists are worried about the potential for identity theft and hacking. The fact that the brain chip can access users’ thoughts has led to concerns about privacy from third parties. People are also concerned about the long term effects of the implant itself. The invasive nature of the surgical procedure raises questions about if the benefits of the chip outweigh the risks in the long run.
Nonetheless, Neuralink is on its way to rapidly expanding. A second patient has already undergone testing and proved great results – he is now able to 3D design and play video games through the link. Neuralink has also recently developed another BCI technology called “Blindsight,” which aims to restore vision to those who lost sight or were born blind. Blindsight got FDA approval just days ago, highlighting Neuralink’s continuous advancements.
Not only does Neuralink repair lost functions, but it also seeks to unlock entirely new capabilities for the human brain. As we enter an era where technology and biology often merge, Neuralink stands as a testament to pushing forward the boundaries of science, creating a new world ahead.
Photo Caption: Elon Musk (Left) with NASA Astronaut Bob Behnken before the launch of the Demo-1 Mission
Photo Credit: Joel Kowsky / Wikimedia Commons