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In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Neuralink permission to conduct human trials. In September of the same year, the company began recruiting volunteers for the experiments, despite the high level of risk involved. On January 30, 2024, Elon Musk announced that the company successfully implanted a device in a human brain, enabling control of a computer through thought. The latest version of the neurointerface, called Telepathy, is designed for people with paralysis.
Experience of the First Patient
The first volunteer was 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who eight years ago injured his spinal cord and became paralyzed below the shoulders. After passing the selection process, he became the first person to receive a Neuralink implant. Arbaugh quickly learned to control a computer, played chess, and engaged in complex games such as Civilization and Mario Kart, even beating Neuralink team members in the latter. He noted that the implant significantly improved his quality of life.
However, a month after the surgery, the electrodes shifted, which impaired its functionality. Neuralink engineers are working on adjusting the signal-reading algorithm to partially restore system functionality, but it remains uncertain how effective this will be.
Challenges and Potential Solutions
Some of the ultra-thin electrodes implanted in Arbaugh’s brain cortex lost contact, reducing the speed of impulse transmission and cursor control accuracy. The brain can slightly move within the skull, and even small shifts can displace the electrodes. Early experiments on monkeys did not reveal this issue as their brains are smaller with less movement.
Neuralink is considering deeper implantation of the electrodes into the brain tissue as a solution. Currently, the company is reluctant to replace the implant in the first patient due to the risk of brain damage.
The Second Volunteer and Future Steps
Neuralink received FDA approval for implanting the device in a second volunteer, incorporating proposed changes in the implantation process. Deeper insertion of the electrodes into the motor cortex of the brain is planned. The operation is scheduled for June 2024, and more than 1,000 volunteers are being screened.
Neuralink aims to implant the device in ten patients by the end of 2024 and begin clinical trials in Canada and the UK.
International Achievements
In February 2024, it was reported that a Chinese research organization also successfully implanted a neurointerface. Their approach differs: the device is placed in the epidural space between the brain and skull and is called Neural Electronic Opportunity (NEO). The system uses wireless power and a data exchange module located on the outside of the skull. The software is based on neural networks, allowing the device to learn and more accurately execute user commands over time.
On October 24, 2023, a paralyzed individual received this sensor, and now he can move his arms using an exoskeleton controlled by the neurointerface. The patient can independently drink, eat, and even write characters with high accuracy.
Potential Impacts and Changes in Human Life
The development of such technologies will lead to significant changes in human life. First and foremost, neurointerfaces can greatly enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities, providing them with capabilities previously unattainable. For instance, paralyzed patients could control various devices, from computers to household appliances, through thought alone. This opens new horizons for rehabilitation and support for people with limited abilities.
Neurointerfaces also have the potential to expand the capabilities of healthy individuals. Imagine controlling devices and gadgets without physical interaction, simplifying everyday tasks and increasing productivity. Virtual and augmented reality will become more accessible and interactive, potentially revolutionizing the entertainment and education industries.
However, these advantages come with potential risks. Data security and privacy become paramount concerns, as hacking such systems could have serious consequences. Ethical and moral aspects of using neurotechnology also need careful consideration and regulation. There are concerns about potential mind control and manipulation, necessitating clear legal norms and standards.
Neuralink and other companies developing neurointerfaces are making significant strides in creating technologies that could substantially alter human life. Despite current challenges and difficulties, progress in this field is rapid, and the first important milestones have already been achieved. These technologies have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of many people but require cautious implementation and regulation to ensure their safety and ethical use.
