Elon Musk's Neuralink Prepares For Second Human Trial, Aims 'Superpower' Capabilities

Neuralink plans to implant its device into a second human patient in about a week, according to the company’s founder, Elon Musk. During a broadcast on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk shared that the company aims to have ‘high single digits’ of patients with the device by the end of the year. He and several Neuralink executives discussed the brain chip’s capabilities and future potential, such as treating paralysis and memory loss. They also addressed improvements for future surgeries to prevent issues encountered during the first implantation on Arizona man Noland Arbaugh. Musk emphasised that the long-term goal is to reduce the civilisational risk posed by AI by fostering “a closer symbiosis between human intelligence and digital intelligence.”

Elon Musk stated that the goal is “to give people superpowers,” as he announced that Neuralink will implement changes to address the issue of its electrode threads retracting from brain tissue in upcoming surgeries. To mitigate this problem, the proposed fixes include removing an air pocket that may have caused the threads to retract in the first surgery. Additionally, the company plans to insert the threads more accurately on the folds of the brain in future procedures, he explained.

Earlier in January, Neuralink successfully transplanted the device into the brain of a man who was paralysed from the shoulders down in a diving accident. After the implantation of Neuralink, the man was able to play chess, and video games and control the computer screen with his brain. Elon Musk has a strong passion for technology and constantly seeks to innovate in the field. Neuralink is a product of this mindset. The company, specialising in neural interface technology, is gaining attention for its unique chip. Neuralink has developed an AI-powered microchip capable of recording and interpreting brain activity. Remarkably, this chip is designed to help individuals overcome mental disabilities. The company asserts that the chip can even read your thoughts.