Neuralink: Could Musk’s advancements in brain technology revolutionize the world?

Elon Musk is no stranger to making ambitious statements, from his visions of colonizing Mars to his ambitious plans for underground transportation systems in major cities. Recently, the world’s wealthiest individual announced that Neuralink, a division of his enterprises, had successfully implanted its inaugural wireless brain chip into a human being. Musk envisions this technology as a potential long-term savior for humanity. The question remains: can it live up to such grand claims?

The concept of inserting electrodes into brain tissue is not groundbreaking. In the 1960s and 70s, electrical stimulation was used to influence aggressive behavior in cats. By the early 2000s, monkeys were trained to manipulate a computer cursor using their thoughts. According to Anne Vanhoestenberghe, a professor at King’s College London specializing in active implantable medical devices, although this technology is not new, it takes time to mature before reaching a stage where all the necessary components can be seamlessly integrated.

Neuralink is just one player in a growing field of companies and academic institutions striving to refine and commercialize brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Initially focusing on paralysis and complex neurological conditions, these BCIs aim to detect and interpret the electrical impulses generated by the brain. Neuralink’s device, about the size of a coin, is inserted into the skull with microscopic wires that read neuron activity and transmit a wireless signal. While trials in pigs and monkeys playing Pong have been reported, human trials received FDA approval in May 2023, with the first patient showing promising neuron spike detection.

Despite its futuristic allure, Neuralink faces competition, notably from Synchron, a startup supported by investment firms linked to Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos. Synchron has already implanted its stent-like device into ten patients. Additionally, other breakthroughs, such as a paralyzed man walking again with implanted devices, have been achieved by researchers at Lausanne University in Switzerland.

However, skepticism exists, especially among those living with spinal injuries, who question the practical applications and progress of such technology. Glyn Hayes, paralyzed in a 2017 motorbike accident, expresses skepticism about the advancements, emphasizing the need to focus on alleviating nerve pain and improving bodily functions.

Elon Musk envisions a broader scope for Neuralink, moving beyond medical applications to achieve “human/AI symbiosis,” which he considers “species-level important.” This ambitious goal involves developing a system capable of accurately interpreting signals from the brain, enabling seamless communication between humans and electronic devices. Musk foresees applications such as ordering food or translating languages with mere thoughts.

However, experts like Prof. Vanhoestenberghe and Dr. Dean Burnett from Cardiff University’s psychology school highlight practical barriers and uncertainties regarding mass-market adoption. The uniqueness of each individual’s brain poses challenges, requiring meticulous customization. The prospect of regular updates akin to changing a phone is also raised, emphasizing the complexity of integrating such technology into mainstream consumer use.

Despite Musk’s futuristic vision, most experts agree that widespread implementation of this cutting-edge technology is decades away, emphasizing the formidable challenges associated with its development. Musk contends that the ultimate goal is not merely expediting daily tasks but safeguarding humanity from the perceived existential threat posed by Artificial Intelligence. By establishing a high-bandwidth brain-machine interface, Musk argues that humans can better keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI.