Elon Musk stated in a recent announcement that the first human has successfully received a Neuralink brain implant. The news comes after the FDA granted approval last year for human trials of the brain-machine implants. The implant, called Telepathy, has the potential to let the user control external devices like phones or computers by merely thinking.
The trials are focusing primarily on individuals with restrictive motor skills due to conditions like cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The implant has been designed to be small and cosmetically unnoticeable, located in the part of the brain controlling movement. According to Musk, Telepathy aims to empower these individuals to regain control of their lives using technology and also aligns with the broader scope of Neuralink, which is to ‘create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow’.
Musk, a vocal advocate for integrating AI with human brains, sees Neuralink as a solution to match the rapid advancements of superintelligent machines. Current technology communication is significantly faster than human processing capabilities, making human-machine interactions inefficient. Neuralink’s high-bandwidth interface aims to enhance this data transfer by directly connecting the brain with the external device.
The implant draws from previous trials conducted on monkeys, where its potential effectiveness was demonstrated. A monkey manipulated a spot on a screen with its thoughts, initially enabled by a controller, later using the implant. The aim for human users is to enable robust, quick, and easy communication.
However, despite Musk’s ambitious plans about humans merging with AI for survival, this human-AI integration will not only face technological hurdles but also ethical issues. Still, the initial results from the human trial, including promising neuron spike detection, hold a promising outlook for the technology’s potential.
In the short term, Telepathy has the potential to revolutionize communication for paralyzed individuals. In the long run, if it manages to merge humans with artificial intelligence, it may lead to a future that’s as fascinating as it is terrifying.