June 17, 2024 – A parody account of Elon Musk, known as “Not Elon Musk,” sparked discussions today by posing an intriguing question: “Would you install a Neuralink interface in your brain to control your new X Phone through thought?” Musk himself responded, stating boldly, “In the future, there will be no more phones, only Neuralink.”
This visionary statement aligns with the ambitious goals set by Neuralink, the company Musk founded dedicated to developing brain-computer interfaces. Last year, Neuralink announced the recruitment of its first human clinical trial participants, specifically targeting individuals with tetraplegia due to cervical spinal cord injuries or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The implant, which enables patients to control computers and mobile phones solely through their thoughts, has led to the coining of the term “Telepathy” for Neuralink’s inaugural product.
In March of this year, Neuralink provided a live update on the progress of their first brain-chip implant recipient, Noland Arbaugh. The company showcased how the tetraplegic man can now play games such as “Civilization” and chess using only his thoughts. According to the agreement between Noland and Neuralink, he will provide data to the company for one year after the implant, and then they will discuss the next steps, including whether to deactivate or remove the device.
Recently, on May 20th, it was reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved Neuralink, owned by Elon Musk, to implant a brain chip into a second patient. Additionally, the FDA authorized the company’s proposed repair plan to address issues encountered by the first participant. This milestone marks a significant step forward in realizing Musk’s vision of a future where phones are replaced by Neuralink interfaces, enabling seamless communication and control through the power of thought.
