Elon Musk on June 16, 2023 in Paris, France.Photo:Chesnot/Getty
Chesnot/Getty
Elon Musksaid that Neuralink implanted their brain chip in a human patient for the first time.
The tech entrepreneur, 52, shared onX (formerly known as Twitter)that the unidentified patient “is recovering well” after the person “received an implant” on Sunday.
“Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” added Musk, who founded the company in 2016. Musk did not provide any additional information regarding the patient’s condition or the procedure.
The quarter-size chip implant has dozens of tiny threadlike electrodes. The electrodes are then implanted into the brain itself and relay electrical signals from neurons, per theWall Street Journal.The chip is placed in the brain’s region that controls the intention to move, reportsReuters.
Musk shared onXon Monday evening that the brain science startup company is working to create its first product “Telepathy.” Musk previously announced that Neuralink’s brain implant would be titled Link. Musk did not confirm if these are different products or if “Telepathy” is the new name for the brain implant.
“Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs,” explained Musk. “Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal.”
Musk confirmed in 2022 that he will also receive his own Neuralink implant, perCNBC.
Elon Musk in Paris, France, on Friday, June 16, 2023.Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty
Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty
This implant procedure follows the June 2023 procedure Neuralink’s competitor, Precision Neuroscience conducted, perCNBC.
Neuralink earned approval from the Food and Drug Administration for human study in May 2023, reportedCNBC. Neuralink then began recruiting participants in September.
Since Neuralink’s 2016 inception, the company has faced accusations of violating the Animal Welfare Act. But in December 2022,Reutersreported the Agriculture Department did not find any violations aside from a self-reported 2019 incident. The self-reported case included a Neuralink surgeon who used an unapproved sealant to close holes drilled into a monkey’s skull.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Elon Musk on Friday, June 16, 2023 in Paris, France.Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty
In November, four lawmakers asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Musk had committed securities fraud, reportedReuters. Allegedly, Musk misled investors about Neuralink’s safety due to the reports that the experiment’s monkeys with implants suffered various health issues, such as brain swelling, seizures and paralysis.
Earlier this month,Reutersreported the company was fined $2,480 for violating U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials and discovered hazardous waste was incorrectly packaged.
source: people.com
