Medical ethicists are expressing alarm over the lack of transparency in Elon Musk being the primary source of information regarding the progress of the first human implanted with Neuralink's brain chip. Musk announced that the patient is now capable of moving a computer mouse cursor by just thinking. However, critics, including bioethics professors Arthur Caplan and Jonathan Moreno, have raised concerns about the ethical standards of the disclosure process.

Caplan and Moreno criticized Neuralink's method of releasing information through press releases and highlighted the lack of public detail regarding the brain implant procedure. They emphasized the ethical obligation to provide more transparency, especially when dealing with experiments involving vulnerable individuals. The professors also pointed out potential complications of brain implants and the need for clear plans in case of adverse effects.

Neuralink, a company co-founded by Elon Musk, has faced criticism in the past for alleged mistreatment of animals in research and violations of transportation rules. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has urged Musk and Neuralink to focus on developing noninvasive brain-computer interfaces to minimize risks associated with surgical procedures.

In May 2023, Neuralink obtained FDA approval for clinical trials after a previous denial over safety concerns. The company is recruiting volunteers, specifically targeting individuals with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, for its PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) trial. The trial aims to evaluate the safety of the implant and assess the functionality of the brain-computer interface for individuals with paralysis.