Neuralink is ready to take things to the inevitable next level, testing its brain-reading chip in humans.
Jose Antonio Lanz3 min read
This highly invasive approach is not without risks, but other researchers have had recent breakthroughs in restoring mobility to paralyzed patients using less intrusive methods. As previously reported by Decrypt, quadriplegic Keith Thomas regained the ability to move his arm simply by thinking about it after scientists at Northwell Health implanted sensors on the surface of his brain.
If proven safe and effective, Neuralink’s brain chips could offer new independence to those suffering from paralysis due to spinal cord injuries or conditions like ALS. However, the technology also raises concerns about the ethics of implants that can literally read people's thoughts.
Neuralink’s announcement follows a controversial history of animal testing. As detailed in a Reuters report, the company has been accused of botched experiments that resulted in over 1500 animal deaths.
Those willing to test the device will receive compensation for “ study-related costs” during the course of the six years that the study will last.
The experiment, called "The PRIME Study” (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface), has been approved to start at a single, undisclosed hospital site for now. But Neuralink has grand ambitions for its tech, recently raising $280 million in funding, as reported previously by Decrypt.
Neuralink proposes a future where AI-powered, thought-reading chips are commonplace and augment human capabilities.
Still, many regulatory and ethical hurdles remain before tech billionaire Elon Musk’s vision becomes reality. While advances like Neuralink’s hold promise for patients with limited mobility, the line between treatment and human enhancement could become blurred.