Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old individual left paralysed after a diving accident, took centre stage in a groundbreaking demonstration by Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip start-up.
In a nine-minute live stream on X (formerly Twitter), Arbaugh showcased his ability to play online chess using only his thoughts, facilitated by the Neuralink implant he received in January.
Arbaugh’s implant allows him to control a computer mouse solely through his thoughts, a feat Musk announced last month.
He expressed gratitude in the live stream: ‘The surgery was super easy. I literally was released from the hospital a day later. I have no cognitive impairments.’
Sharing his excitement about being able to engage in activities he previously thought impossible, he said: ‘I had given up playing that game,’ he remarked, referring to Civilization VI, ‘you all [Neuralink] gave me the ability to do that again and played for eight hours straight.’
However, experts caution that the procedure is still in its early stages.
Kip Ludwig, a former programme director for neural engineering at the US National Institutes of Health, emphasised that while the achievement is noteworthy, it remains ‘still in the very early days post-implantation’.
He added: There is a lot of learning on both the Neuralink side and the subject’s side to maximise the amount of information that can be achieved for control.’
Despite challenges, the successful demonstration marks a significant milestone for Neuralink and the field of neurotechnology.
Musk has previously expressed aspirations for the technology to revolutionise communication for individuals with disabilities, envisioning a future where users can ‘communicate faster than an auctioneer’.
Neuralink’s mission, described as ‘breakthrough technology for the brain’, aims to create a universal brain interface that restores autonomy for individuals with unmet medical needs while unlocking human potential.
The company’s fully implantable and discreetly designed brain-computer interface promises users the ability to control devices such as computers and mobile phones through mere thought, heralding a new era of seamless human-computer interaction.
While Neuralink has faced scrutiny over safety protocols and concerns arising from animal testing, Musk has defended the company’s practices, emphasising that measures are taken to minimise any risks.
Despite challenges and controversies, Neuralink remains committed to reshaping the landscape of neurotechnology.
For more information about Neuralink, you can read our previous coverage here.
