Elon Musk, CEO of Neuralink, believes that in the future, phones will be obsolete as brain chips like those developed by Neuralink will take over. In response to an AI-generated image depicting him holding a phone with a neural network design on his forehead, Musk affirmed that “In the future, there will be no phones, just Neuralinks.” Neuralink, a company focused on developing brain-computer interfaces, is currently conducting its first human trials, with 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh being the first participant.
Noland Arbaugh, paralyzed from the shoulders down following an accident eight years ago, underwent Neuralink’s brain surgery earlier this year. Since then, he has shown promising signs of recovery, marking significant progress in his ability to perform daily activities. A recent blog post by Neuralink highlighted Arbaugh’s journey and featured a video showcasing his improved capabilities, including playing chess.
Despite these advancements, Neuralink faces challenges, including ethical considerations and legal disputes. Recently, a former Neuralink employee filed a lawsuit alleging inadequate protective measures while caring for animals carrying dangerous viruses. The company continues to push forward, with Musk announcing that Neuralink is now accepting applications for its second human participant, aiming to further advance its telepathic cybernetic brain implant technology.
The future envisioned by Musk and Neuralink sparks both excitement and skepticism among users and experts alike, reflecting ongoing debates about the implications and possibilities of merging technology with the human brain.