Neuralink’s first patient has shown positive results using technology himself to play online chess with his mind. Neuralink is Elon Musk’s brain chip startup who recently did an experiment on the first human, named Noland Arbaugh. He is 29 years old and paralyzed after having an accident. While playing the chess game, he live streamed himself. He shows how he is moving the cursor through the Neuralink device implant in his brain.
During a live broadcast, Arbaugh demonstrated the use of Neuralink’s device to navigate and interact with his laptop, an achievement made possible following his implantation with the company’s device earlier this year. Elon Musk, the visionary behind Neuralink, had previously revealed Arbaugh’s newfound capability to use a computer mouse through his mind alone.
Arbaugh’s operation was notably uncomplicated, leading to his discharge from medical care within a day. He expressed no visible cognitive deficits post-procedure.
Prior to receiving Neuralink’s implant, Arbaugh had abandoned hope of engaging in his favored video game, Civilization VI. Post-implantation, he joyously recounted an uninterrupted eight-hour gaming session, a feat made feasible by Neuralink’s technology.
Arbaugh emphasized the device’s transformative impact on his life. and cautioned that the journey towards full functionality is ongoing.
Contrasting views have emerged within the scientific community regarding Neuralink’s progress. Kip Ludwig, a known neural engineer and former NIH neural engineering program director, characterized Neuralink’s demonstration as preliminary rather than revolutionary. He highlighted the mutual adaptation process between Neuralink and the user in refining control through thought.
Nevertheless, Ludwig acknowledged the significant progress for Arbaugh in computer interaction post-implantation, marking it as a commendable initial step.
