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Elon Musk to start testing chips in human brains next year

By T.K. Randall
December 9, 2021 · Comment icon 14 comments

Neuralink chips could help people with spinal injuries. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Glogger / Chris Aimone
Musk's company Neuralink is set to begin testing its brain-computer interface chips within a few months.
Having previously been described by Musk as an answer to the existential threat of an artificial intelligence surpassing our own capabilities, Neuralink's work in enabling people to control computers using nothing but their own thoughts has certainly raised a few eyebrows in recent years.

At a glance, it may seem like an unneccessary exercise in dabbling a bit too far beyond the line that most people are likely to feel comfortable with, however it does have the potential to make great strides in improving the lives of those with a variety of debilitating medical conditions ranging from locked-in-syndrome to paralysis.

It could also make it possible to enhance the human condition, providing 'powers' that could range from superior vision to the ability to replay memories inside one's own head.

So far Neuralink's chips have only been tested in animals, however Musk recently hinted that human testing is likely to begin as early as next year.
"We have a chance with Neuralink to restore full-body functionality to someone who has a spinal cord injury," he said during the The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Conference on Monday.

"I think we have a chance - and I emphasize a chance - to be able to allow someone who cannot walk or use their arms to be able to walk again naturally."

"I don't want to raise hopes unreasonably, but I'm increasingly convinced that this could be done."

The first step towards testing in humans will require getting the FDA's approval, however Musk seems pretty confident about this as well, noting that Neuralink's "standards for implanting the device are higher than what the FDA requires."

If these chips can achieve what he believes they are capable of achieving, it should certainly be a worthwhile endeavour and could serve to revolutionize thousands of lives.

Source: Observer.com | Comments (14)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #5 Posted by spartan max2 3 years ago
Neuralink states their first trials and target for treatment are with people with spinal cord injuries. 
Comment icon #6 Posted by Desertrat56 3 years ago
Shouldn't the title of this thread be "Neuralink to start testing chips in brains next year"?  Elon Musk is not going to personally test anything unless he is volunteering his brain to be the first test.
Comment icon #7 Posted by Desertrat56 3 years ago
If you were a nerd you would get when he is joking.
Comment icon #8 Posted by Binkmeister 3 years ago
Oh joy
Comment icon #9 Posted by Binkmeister 3 years ago
Oh joy
Comment icon #10 Posted by Sovreign citizen 3 years ago
Higher standards then what the FDA requires. Setting the bar kind of low.
Comment icon #11 Posted by spud the mackem 3 years ago
Has he got a brain .
Comment icon #12 Posted by Eldorado 3 years ago
Elon Musk appears close to beginning the first ever human trials of his brain-computer interface technology. A new job posting for a ‘Clinical Trial Director’ at Neuralink reveals that the neurotech startup is preparing to take its brain chip research to the next stage. Neuralink has already conducted trials on pigs and monkeys, including a successful experiment involving a nine-year-old macaque capable of playing video games using only its mind. MSN
Comment icon #13 Posted by Desertrat56 3 years ago
Do you really think Elon Musk is personally supervising every company he owns or has started?  It is Neuralink, not Musk personally that is testing these chips.  
Comment icon #14 Posted by Eldorado 3 years ago
Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink has become the subject of a US federal complaint and lawsuit after “invasive and deadly brain experiments” were reportedly carried out on 23 monkeys – leaving 15 of them dead. The Tesla billionaire’s firm - which aims to help paralysed individuals “by giving them the ability to control computers and mobile devices directly with their brains” – partnered with the University of California, Davis on the research, with $1.4 million allegedly given to the institution in funding. However, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine ... [More]


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