Elon Musk announced that the first human patient with a brain implant from his Neuralink startup can now control a computer mouse solely with their thoughts. The neurotechnology company performed the implant surgery last month, with Musk confirming the success of the experiment on Monday, Feb. 19.
Musk stated in an interview that the patient has shown full recovery with no adverse effects. Remarkably, the individual can manipulate the mouse on the screen through sheer thought. Musk expressed the goal of enabling more intricate interactions, aiming beyond basic controls to include multiple functions.
Neuralink’s technology involves a device, roughly the size of five stacked coins, surgically inserted into the human brain. Founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink’s mission is to establish direct communication pathways between the brain and computers. This endeavor holds the potential to enhance human capabilities significantly, while also offering promising avenues for treating neurological disorders such as ALS and Parkinson’s.
While Musk spearheads efforts in this field, others are also making strides. Facing setbacks, Musk reportedly sought collaboration with implant developer Synchron, which implanted its first device in a US patient in July 2022. The convergence of expertise and innovation in brain-machine interface research signals a promising future for the fusion of human and artificial intelligence.