Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, has released a groundbreaking video showcasing their first human patient using a brain implant to control a mouse cursor and play chess. The patient, identified as Noland Arbaugh, has been paralyzed from the shoulders down for eight years due to a diving accident.
In the video, Arbaugh describes the experience of using the Neuralink implant as being similar to using the Force from the Star Wars franchise. This technology has been made possible after FDA granted Neuralink permission for in-human clinical trials last year, with the company currently seeking test subjects for an initial six-year trial.
This marks the first time Neuralink has shared footage of a human using a brain implant, but the company has faced criticism for its lack of transparency in trials. Previous experiments on monkeys have also sparked controversy. However, Musk envisions a future where perfectly healthy individuals could have the Neuralink implanted to enhance their capabilities, although that future still remains distant.
The release of this video represents a significant milestone for Neuralink and the field of brain-computer interfaces. As the company continues to push boundaries and explore the potential of this technology, it is clear that we are witnessing the beginning of a new era in neuroscience.
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