Neuralink's First Human Subject Demonstrates Brain-Computer Interface in Livestream

On Wednesday, Neuralink showcased its groundbreaking brain-computer interface technology in a livestream on the social media platform X. The event featured a paralyzed 29-year-old man named Noland Arbaugh, who became the first human subject to receive the Neuralink brain implant.

Arbaugh had been paralyzed from the shoulders down for eight years due to a diving accident. However, with the help of the Neuralink device, he demonstrated remarkable control over a computer, playing online chess and the video game Civilization solely using his thoughts.

During the livestream, Arbaugh expressed his excitement, stating, "If y'all can see the cursor moving around the screen, that's all me. It's pretty cool, huh?" He explained that he had learned to use the brain-computer interface by imagining the cursor's movement while attempting to control his hand.

Neuralink, founded by billionaire Elon Musk in 2016, aims to develop a system capable of decoding movement intentions from brain signals. Their initial objective is to enable paralyzed individuals to control a cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Neuralink clearance last year to proceed with an initial human trial. The recruitment of paralyzed participants for testing began in the autumn. Musk previously stated that the first human subject had successfully received the Neuralink implant and had recovered well, later confirming that the person could control a computer mouse with their thoughts.

Neuralink's brain implant is inserted using a surgical robot developed by the company, which ensures a cosmetically invisible placement. By analyzing brain signals and translating them into output commands, the Neuralink software allows users to control external devices effortlessly.

Despite its groundbreaking achievements, Neuralink has faced criticism from neuroscientists and ethicists regarding its lack of transparency surrounding the trial. Limited information about the study has been gathered from social media posts and a brief brochure published by the company.

Furthermore, Neuralink has come under scrutiny for its alleged mistreatment of animals used in their research. A WIRED investigation in the past highlighted cases where monkeys died as a result of the brain implant testing.

Addressing safety concerns, Arbaugh reassured the audience, stating, "I think, like, there's nothing to be afraid of. The surgery was super easy. I literally was released from the hospital a day later." He also added that he experienced no cognitive impairments following the surgery.

Neuralink finds itself in a competitive field, with other companies seeking to commercialize brain-computer interfaces. One rival, Synchron, has developed a stent-like device inserted into the jugular vein. Trials have shown that this device is safe and has enabled paralyzed individuals to browse the web and engage in online shopping and banking.

Arbaugh concluded by acknowledging that there is still work to be done with the Neuralink technology, but he emphasized the significant positive impact it has already had on his life.

The livestream provided an exciting glimpse into the potential of Neuralink's brain-computer interface, creating anticipation for further developments in this groundbreaking field of research.