Neuralink says trials to test its microchip in humans could start as soon as in 6 months.

 

Diagram of Neuralink microchip implanted into the brain
and the wiring discharged from the chip - Courtesy of Neuralink/Youtube

 

Suh di bredda weh buy Twitter seh him want to plant sumn inna yuh brain by six months time. Yes sah! Di multi-billionaire seh him company Neuralink dun wid animal trial an' is about fi start try him invention pon peepul real soon, as soon as six months. 

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, billionaire/inventor Elon Musk revealed that his company Neuralink was ready to perform human trials with his new implant --a tiny computer chip, the size of a coin, that would revolutionize the way humans interact with computers, and digital technology overall. 

What was the purpose of the Neuralink company in the first place?

According to Business Insider the company was secretly founded in 2016 but came to public knowledge in 2017. Its purpose is to create a ' "symbiosis" between the human brain and artificial intelligence" '. Interestingly, in an interview with the New York Times Musk sees this new technology as a way to preserve the human race. 

He says: 

"A.I does not need to hate us to destroy us. We would roll over an anthill that's in the way in the road. You don't hate ants. You're just building a road... And that the potential for intelligence in computers is far greater than in biology. I created [Neuralink] specifically to address the A.I. symbiosis problem, which I think is an existential threat."

The billionaire hopes in the near future the implant he calls "Link" will be able to solve neurological ailments such as dementia, memory loss and spinal cord injuries which lead to paralysis.

How does the "Link" implant work?

The chip is implanted into the brain by a robot surgeon. Once successfully planted it releases tiny wires that spread out into the brain. The wires are equipped with 1,024 electrodes that monitor brain activity and should theoretically stimulate the brain. The theory is that this data response from brain stimulation will then be transmitted via the chip to computers i.e. the worldwide web and will be connected initially by a smartphone. For now however, any data collected will be relayed to researchers in a Neuralink lab.

Musk has implanted his chips into animals in the past. In 2019, he announced that he had successfully implanted a monkey with Link and that the primate was now able to control the computer input with his brain. If one goes on to the Neuralink Twitter page you will see a video of a monkey using the chip in his brain to interface wirelessly with a computer to play a video game.  

Future Goal?

Ultimately, while Musk touts that this device will be able to help heal patients with severe brain injuries or debilitating neurological disorders such as Parkinsons' Disease, he wants A.I. and humans to become one. In a 2019 interview with podcast host Lex Friedman, he said:

We will not be able to be smarter than a digital computer, therefore, if you cannot beat 'em, join 'em.