On Wednesday, a remarkable video was shared, showcasing Neuralink’s groundbreaking achievement: a man playing chess and communicating solely through his thoughts, enabled by the company’s innovative brain implant.
Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a diving mishap eight years prior, shared his experiences using the technology. He has been able to play chess, engage in the “Civilization” video game, and even take lessons in Japanese and French by maneuvering a cursor on a computer screen with his mind. “It’s incredibly cool,” Arbaugh expressed, humorously adding that the technology bestowed upon him a form of telepathy, a nod to the capabilities of Neuralink, Elon Musk’s venture into neurotechnology.
In January, Neuralink made a significant stride by implanting its first brain device in a human participant, marking a successful milestone championed by Musk, who is also known for his leadership at Tesla and X.
Remarkably, Arbaugh recounted being discharged from the hospital merely a day post-operation, without any cognitive side effects. “There’s still much to be achieved, but it’s already immensely transformed my life,” he noted, emphasizing that this development is not the culmination but rather a promising inception.
He detailed the learning curve of operating the device, starting from the mere intent to move the cursor to achieve precise control, mirroring his intentions through the implant’s system. “I joined this project to contribute to something I believe will revolutionize the world,” Arbaugh stated.
Adding a lighter note to his journey, Arbaugh plans to embrace his newfound abilities this Halloween by dressing as Charles Xavier, the telepathic and telekinetic Professor X from Marvel Comics, who, like him, uses a wheelchair. “It’s quite fitting… I’m essentially telekinetic,” he joked.
The video, shared on platforms like X and Reddit, also included insights from a Neuralink engineer, promising further updates on Arbaugh’s advancements. The community reaction has been a mix of awe and apprehension, with one Reddit user remarking on the surreal yet somewhat daunting reality of witnessing a person benefit from Neuralink’s technology.
Neuralink’s device, approximately the size of five coins stacked together, is surgically implanted into the brain to facilitate direct communication between the brain and computers. Co-founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink’s mission is to enhance human capabilities, address neurological conditions such as ALS or Parkinson’s disease, and eventually foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and AI.
While Neuralink is at the forefront, Musk and his team are among several pioneers exploring the potentials of brain-computer interface research, aiming to bridge the gap between human cognition and technological innovation.
