Neuralink to Implant Device in Second Human Patient: Elon Musk
Elon Musk's business Neuralink plans to implant its device in a second human patient within the next week.
Neuralink, the brain-computer interface startup founded by Elon Musk, will implant its device into a second human patient within the next week.
Musk announced this during a broadcast on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that the company aims to have devices in “the high single digits” of patients by the end of the year.
Promising Capabilities and Future Potential of Neuralink:
During the broadcast, Musk and several key Neuralink executives discussed the capabilities and future possibilities of the brain chip device, which include repairing paralysis and memory loss.
Musk highlighted Neuralink’s long-term goal of mitigating the civilizational risks posed by AI by creating a closer symbiosis between human and digital intelligence.
The team reflected on the first implantation, which took place on Noland Arbaugh in Arizona and outlined steps to avoid similar setbacks in future surgeries. One significant issue observed was the retraction of electrode threads from brain tissue.
To address this, Musk mentioned eliminating an air pocket that might have contributed to the retraction. Additionally, the company plans to insert the threads more accurately into the folds of the brain.
Vision for Future Generations of the Device:
Looking ahead, the team discussed the development of future generations of the Neuralink device. Musk emphasized that patients with older models should be able to upgrade to newer versions, drawing an analogy to smartphone upgrades: “You want the iPhone 15. Not the iPhone 1.”
Musk also took the opportunity to stress Neuralink’s commitment to the welfare of the animals used in their research. He assured that the company does everything possible to maximize the well-being of their animal subjects.
