First Neuralink Patient Played Video Games Until 6 AM After Surgery

Elon Musk’s brain-chip company Neuralink ​live-streamed​ its first patient, Noland Arbaugh, playing online chess using the Neuralink brain implant to control the computer cursor with his thoughts.

Arbaugh, 29, was paralyzed after a diving accident. He received the Neuralink implant in January and said the surgery was “super easy” with no cognitive impairments.

However, a former NIH official said what Neuralink showed was not a breakthrough yet, as it’s still early days post-implantation to maximize the device’s capabilities.

Last month, the FDA found issues with Neuralink’s record-keeping and quality controls for animal experiments, shortly after it was cleared for human trials.

While Neuralink pushes to restore abilities to the disabled, could the real impact be giving all humans superhuman cognitive powers?

Let’s see if it all adds up.

• What is Neuralink?
• So, What? Computer Powered Telekinesis
• Now, What’s in it for u⁺

What is Neuralink?

Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded by Elon Musk in 2016 with the goal of developing implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).

Neuralink is developing a device called ​”The Link”​ which is a coin-sized chip that would be surgically implanted into the human skull. The chip connects to the brain via thousands of tiny, flexible electrode threads that fan out and penetrate a few millimeters into the brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex.

There are three key components to make this technology possible:

The N1 Implant Chip

This processes the neural signals from the brain and transmits them wirelessly to an external device like a computer or smartphone.

Flexible Electrode Threads

These contain over 1,000 electrodes that can detect the electrical impulses produced when neurons fire, allowing the chip to read brain activity.

Surgical Robot

A robot is used to precisely implant the electrode threads into the brain during surgery, as the threads are too thin and flexible for human hands.

With these key components, how does Neuralink actually work?

The core principle behind Neuralink is to create an interface between the human brain and computers by recording and decoding the electrical signals produced by neurons.

The electrode threads implanted in the brain detect these neural signals, which are then processed by the N1 chip and transmitted wirelessly to Neuralink’s software running on a connected device i.e. phone or computer.

Using machine learning algorithms, this neural data can potentially be decoded into commands to control computer interfaces or robotic limbs using just thoughts.

Conversely, the system could also work in the opposite direction by sending electrical impulses from the chip back into the brain to stimulate specific neural pathways. This could theoretically help restore sensory perception like vision or movement in people with disabilities.

In essence, Neuralink aims to build a “full-stack” brain-machine interface that can both read from and write to the human brain for a wide range of potential applications, from medical treatments to enhancing human cognitive abilities.

However, the technology is still in early stages with many challenges remaining before it can be safely deployed in humans.

Computer Powered Telekinesis

The Neuralink livestream sparks a conversation on the concept of computer-powered telekinesis–the ability to move or manipulate objects using only the mind.

This idea was brought up because the video demonstrates Neuralink’s first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, using the implant to control a computer cursor and play games like chess with just his thoughts.

But, what’s with this computer powered telekinesis?

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) aims to establish a direct neural interface between the human brain and external computing devices. Here’s how it works:

• Brain Implant
  
  A coin-sized device called the N1 Implant is surgically implanted into the patient’s skull. It contains over 1,000 flexible electrode threads that penetrate a few millimeters into the brain’s outer cortical layer.

• Neural Signal Detection
  
  These electrodes can detect the electrical impulses produced when neurons in the motor cortex fire as the patient thinks about moving or performing an action.

• Signal Transmission
  
  The implant wirelessly transmits these neural signals to Neuralink’s software running on a connected computer or smartphone.

• Signal Decoding
  
  Using machine learning algorithms, the software decodes the neural data into specific commands or inputs, like moving a cursor or typing text.

In Arbaugh’s case, he could simply think about where he wanted the cursor to move on the screen, and the Neuralink system would translate his neural signals into the corresponding cursor movements, allowing him to play games and interact with the computer using just his thoughts.

What’s in it for u⁺

While Neuralink’s current focus is on restoring autonomy for people with disabilities, the concept of computer-powered telekinesis enabled by their BCI technology has far-reaching implications:

• Mind-Controlled Devices
  
  Beyond just computers, the same principle could potentially allow users to control any digital device or interface using only their thoughts, from smartphones to home appliances.
  
  With this technology, it’s possible that in the near future, any devices we consider “smart,” like smart TVs, smart lightbulbs, or smart vacuums, could be controlled using our minds.

• Robotic Control
  
  By decoding motor intention signals, Neuralink’s system could enable users to control robotic limbs or exoskeletons with their mind, restoring mobility and physical capabilities.
  
  Now, imagine ​Nvidia’s robotic project​ with Neuralink! This means that it’s possible that we can control robots just by our thoughts.

• Sensory Restoration
  
  In the future, the technology could also work in reverse, sending signals from external devices back into the brain to restore sensory perception like vision or hearing for those with impairments.
  
  This technology can be life-changing for a lot of people suffering from motor and cognitive paralysis.

• Brain-to-Brain Communication
  
  Musk has even suggested the possibility of ​”consensual telepathy,”​ a direct brain-to-brain communication interface between two people with Neuralink implants.
  
  Imagine talking to your friends without actually “talking.” That would be interesting…

However, many experts remain skeptical about the timeline for achieving such advanced capabilities, as the technology is still in its early stages and faces significant technical and ethical challenges.

Nonetheless, Neuralink’s demonstration of computer-powered telekinesis marks an important step towards realizing the long-held dream of mind-controlled interfaces and merging human cognition with artificial intelligence systems.