American startup
Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, has successfully implanted its first brain device in a human being. Announced on January 29, this procedure was unexpected due to the controversies surrounding previous animal experiments.
Specifically, the brain chip named
N1 features 1,024 electrodes distributed over 64 ultra-flexible threads. After implantation, these electrodes capture data related to neuronal activity associated with movements, then transferring this information to
Neuralink's computers.
Elon Musk also revealed the name of the first product emerging from this technology:
Telepathy. According to him, this product will allow control of computers and phones through thought, offering an innovative solution to individuals who have lost the use of their limbs. An ambitious vision, even suggesting the possibility of faster communication than a typist for individuals like the late Stephen Hawking.
Elon Musk's Twitter post, stating that the first human to receive a Neurolink implant is doing well, and that "early results show promising detection of neural spikes" Despite these advancements,
Neuralink has faced criticism following previous experiments, which resulted in the death of 1,500 animals since 2018. During an experiment conducted in 2022, a lawsuit was even filed as only 7 out of 23 monkey subjects survived the trials. These controversies led to a federal investigation for violations of animal protection laws. Despite this, last May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (
FDA) gave the Californian company the green light.
Elon Musk's company isn't pioneer in the field of brain implants. French researchers from the
Cinatec Institute had introduced in 2019 an implant allowing a tetraplegic patient to move through thought. Similarly, in September 2023, Dutch company
Onward experimented with a coupling between a brain implant and another stimulating the spinal cord, intended for tetraplegic patients.
The Neuralink implant.
Image Neuralink
Beyond the goal of restoring mobility to paralyzed patients,
Neuralink aims to restore sight to the blind and to treat psychiatric diseases. Elon Musk even envisions making this implant accessible to everyone, arguing that enhanced communication with computers constitutes a bulwark against the risks of artificial intelligence.
Article Author: Cédric DEPOND