Neuralink the first company which is trying to do something exceptional with the human mind. Elon Musk whenever this name comes up, It’s always some amazing, curious and sometime terrifying news. We all know that Elon is a big dreamer. We can say this from his plans to colonies the Red Planet (Mars), building a transport network underneath our big cities, and this time Elon announced on his twitter that his company have implanted the first ever Neuralink chip in human brain. So, what is this Neuralink? What are the main objectives? Is this any Danger from this chip to our privacy and our existence? Well let’s see.
What Is Neuralink?
Neuralink is one of Elon Musk Companies, which is working on Brain Computer Interference (BCI) to record and decode brain activities. With aim of implanting microchips in human brain to let a person with severe Paralysis to control robotic arms, legs, and also to improve other body parts.
So, when did this all started? It started in 1960s and 70s when electrical stimulation was used to trigger or suppress aggressive behavior in cats. By the early 2000s monkey were being trained to move a cursor around a computer screen using just their thoughts. “Neuroscience is by far the most exciting branch of science because the brain is the most fascinating object in the universe. Every human brain is different – the brain makes each human unique and defines who he or she is.” Said Stanley B. Prusiner. Human brain contains 100 billion neurons each of then connected with 10 thousand each. Ultimately this means the job they are doing is not easy. To make such a device it must have been challenging for them. But now they have developed such a device and as per Elon Musk tweet they have implanted the first ever Neuralink chip in human brain.
How Neuralink Looks Like?
Neuralink device is about the size of a coin, with microscopic wires on it. Which can read neuron signals by a wireless beam back receiving unit.
The company have already run trials on pigs and monkeys and claimed that monkeys were able to play a basic version of the video game pong. The company received the approval for Human trials on May 2023 by US Food and Drug Administration. Musk also said in a separate post on X.com that, “the first product from Neuralink will be called Telepathy.” As per for the safety he confirmed on the twitter that no monkey died so far as a result of Neuralink implant. He also added that the company chose Terminal monkeys to minimize risk to healthy ones.
Species-Level Important
The first step for Neuralink is solving brain and spinal injuries. But it’s not it, they have some long-term goals like “Human/Ai symbiosis” something Elon describes as species-level important. Imagine it you are giving online orders just by thoughts, you are surfing the internet, and other amazing activities like translating one language in other language just by a thought in your mind. Musk already talked about the future of this as a device that would allow people to communicate to phone or computer faster than the speed of typist or auctioneer. Well take the truth future having a chip in your brain you can do literally everything it can help an individual learn and connect through internet by just a thought. According to me if they successfully achieve their goals the future will be amazing. Human will be literally superhuman by this.
And he also said that maybe saving and replying memories will be possible. By just imagining future like this gives me goosebumps and curiosity.
Elon Musk, as well, has suggested that the main goal is not just to speed up your takeaway orders. But to better protect humanity from the risk of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he thinks as an ‘existential thread’. The thing more concerning for the companies is, will the people take risk to get a chip into their brains through a surgery.
Volunteer
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of registration for Neuralink’s clinical trial on ClinicalTrials.gov, a public repository overseen by the US National Institutes of Health. Many universities are mandated to register trials and protocols in such repositories before recruiting participants, ensuring transparency and participant protection. Neuralink has yet to respond to inquiries about the absence of registration. Neuralink’s study brochure says that volunteer will be followed for five years. It also indicates that the trial will access the device’s functionality, with volunteers using it at least twice weekly to control a computer and feedback on the experience.
Neuralink vs Other BCIs
First and the most important difference is that the Neuralink chip is places inside the brain while all the other BCIs out there till now are being placed outside the brain. Previous such systems had to be physically connected to a computer through a port in the skull.
Neuralink Stock And Valuation
Neuralink, founded in 2016, is not publicly traded, meaning you cannot buy its shares/Neuralink stocks in a traditional brokerage account. It lacks a stock symbol as it remains a private company that hasn’t offered its shares to the public through an initial public offering (IPO). Despite being private, its high-profile founder (Elon Musk), ambitious goals, and frequent media coverage contribute to its wider recognition, similar to Elon’s other company, The Boring Company. In June 2023, Reuters reported a valuation of approximately $5 billion (£3.9 billion) based on private share sales, showcasing Elon Musk’s ability to silence doubters and build successful companies despite early skepticism. But if you are an investor, It’s important to stay informed and critically evaluate any information you encounter about these companies, especially regarding future investment opportunities.
Neuralink Future Plans
Neuralink have some amazing plans for the growth in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, according to documents obtained by investors. In 2024, they aim to perform 11 surgeries, 27 in 2025 and 79 in 2026. This steady increase accelerates significantly, reaching 499 surgeries in 2027 and 22,204 by 2030. This rapid growth suggests a strong commitment to expanding their work and investment, driven by a dual purpose: bettering the lives of individuals and for humanity to understand the brain.
Challenge
Neuralink chip implants in brain promise mind-blowing abilities but raise ethical concerns. Privacy, security, and societal impact unclear. Brave new world or risky business?
In the end it’s really a difficult task means it cannot be accomplished quickly with accuracy. The work they are trying to do requires patience and precision. And I think that they are gonna make mistakes too, cause understanding a human brain and the nature have always been a mystery to scientists. Only time will tell. Weigh benefits vs risks and decide for yourself. Future in our hands, literally.