Neuralink Successfully Implants First Brain Chip in Human

Elon Musk’s startup Neuralink has successfully implanted a brain chip in its first human volunteer, as the billionaire announced on X.

The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.

Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024

According to Musk, the procedure revealed “promising” neuronal activity, and the patient is “recovering well.”

Neuralink’s first product is named Telepathy.

“[The technology] allows you to control a phone or computer, and through them, virtually any device, just by thinking. The first participants will be those who have lost the ability to use their limbs. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a stenographer or auctioneer. That is the goal,” added the company’s founder.

The project aims to merge the human brain with computers to help people cope with complex neurological disorders. For instance, paralyzed patients could control digital devices with their thoughts.

The operations are conducted using a highly precise surgical robot that implants 64 special threads thinner than a human hair into the brain. This technology transmits neural signals, which are converted into specific actions like limb movement.

Following the startup’s initial announcements, numerous tokens have emerged online, capitalizing on the hype surrounding Neuralink. One such asset, NLINK, surged by 600% in the past day, according to CoinMarketCap. However, Musk has previously stated that none of his companies intend to launch their own cryptocurrency.

Neuralink received approval for human trials in May 2023 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recruitment of the first test subjects began in September.

In August, the project closed a $280 million funding round, with Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, a supporter of SpaceX, Stripe, Paxos, and other major organizations, as the main investor.