Just a month ago, Elon Musk shared encouraging news regarding the inaugural Neuralink recipient. He disclosed that the first individual to undergo the Neuralink brain chip implant had made a full recovery, now capable of controlling a computer mouse solely with their thoughts.
Nearly a month later, the patient’s identity was revealed in a live-streamed video by Neuralink’s official channel. The recipient, a 29-year-old man, had been paralyzed from the shoulders down due to an accident. The video showcased him engaging in a game of chess on a computer, utilizing only his brain. Elon Musk also responded to the video via his personal X handle.
Elon Musk Responds to Video of Neuralink’s First User
Elon Musk responded to the video unveiling that the chip’s name is Telepathy. He captioned the video, “Livestream of @Neuralink demonstrating “Telepathy” – controlling a computer and playing video games just by thinking.”
The video has already garnered over 7.4 million views and is circulating widely across the internet.
Numerous users have commented on Musk’s post, congratulating Neuralink for this accomplishment. While some express feeling “inspired” after viewing the video, others describe it as “remarkable.”
Neuralink’s First Human Trial: Transformative Technology and Personal Testimony
In the video, a Neuralink engineer introduces the company’s inaugural human trial patient, Noland Arbaugh. Arbaugh, aged 29, disclosed that he became paralyzed from the shoulders down following an accident eight years ago. He expressed gratitude towards Neuralink for enabling him to engage in chess, a passion he previously couldn’t pursue independently.
Describing his experience with the Neuralink chip and his newfound ability to play chess through thought alone, he expressed, that he felt amazing and that he was fortunate to be involved in this. He further added that he was discovering something new daily. He also shared that upon initially gaining full control, he stayed up until 6 am playing Civilization 6.
He then elaborated on how Neuralink allowed him to play as much as he wanted without depending on others. He cited that earlier he could only play using an iPad and needed assistance from his parents. He could only play for a few hours, making it impractical to complete a full game. But now, he could simply lie in bed and play to his heart’s content. He further narrated that the main limitation was waiting for the implant to charge, but overall, it had been an amazing experience.
Aarbaugh went on to acknowledge that the technology was not flawless yet, emphasizing that there was still much work to be done. Nevertheless, he believed it was a transformative innovation poised to revolutionize the world. He encouraged those considering involvement in the process, reassuring them that there was nothing to be afraid about.
In the video, he expressed his motivation for involvement by stating that he joined this initiative because he simply wanted to contribute to something that would have a global impact. He cited that the surgical procedure was remarkably straightforward and that he was discharged from the hospital the following day without any cognitive impairments.
Aarbaugh was grateful to Neuralink for their efforts in making this vision a reality. He believed that they would be successful in revolutionizing the world.
Blindsight: Advancing Neuralink’s Visionary Mission
Neuralink’s latest venture, Blindsight, aims to restore vision to blind individuals, complementing their groundbreaking Telepathy technology. Elon Musk announced the development of Blindsight via his X handle, marking a significant progression in Neuralink’s developments.
While Musk has previously hinted at Blindsight’s potential, this formal announcement underscores its importance. Last year, Neuralink unveiled plans for implant trials, employing a specialized robot to insert ultra-thin threads into participants’ brains, laying the groundwork for revolutionary advancements in neurotechnology.
