Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup Neuralink showcased in a livestream event its first patient using a chip to play online chess with his mind, Reuters reports.
Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old who became paralyzed from the shoulders down after a diving accident, demonstrated the technology by controlling a computer cursor using the Neuralink device. Arbaugh expressed enthusiasm about the procedure and its potential to restore some of his lost abilities. However, he also acknowledged that the technology is not flawless and that there are still challenges to overcome.
Kip Ludwig, a former program director for neural engineering at the US National Institutes of Health, commented on the demonstration, noting that while it is a positive development, it is still early days for the technology.
Despite the promising demonstration, concerns have been raised about Neuralink’s operations. Recently, FDA inspectors found issues with record-keeping and quality controls for animal experiments conducted by the company, raising questions about Neuralink’s readiness for human trials.
