Years after the proposed human trials of Neuralink for its brain chip implants, the company is now announcing that it has done the procedure on its first test patient, Elon Musk confirms. In the latest statement by the Neuralink CEO and co-founder, the company's first human test subject is currently recovering after the procedure, with initial findings revealed by the executive.
There are still limited details regarding this latest development from the company, but this marks a monumental step towards what it promises to offer soon.
Elon Musk's Neuralink Completes First Brain Implant on a Human
In the latest post by Elon Musk via X, he confirmed that the company had already undergone its human testing phase for Neuralink and chosen a test subject, with the volunteer receiving the first brain implant chip from the company. Musk did not name who the volunteer was or any other demographic for identification, with the renowned CEO not sharing any media to accompany the announcement.
Musk's latest update confirms its human testing phase already commenced, with the application taking place yesterday, amid the weekend.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
Neuralink's Human Test: Patient is 'Recovering Well'
The Neuralink chief also said that the patient is "recovering well," under the PRIME Study program, given the proprietary N1 Implant (Brain-computer interface or BCI) with its R1 Robot surgically placing the chip. It was placed in a region of the brain that is meant to control movement.
While it was not revealed who the patient was, Musk and Neuralink initially sought a quadriplegic patient for the test.
Moreover, it was revealed by the CEO that in its initial findings, there was a "promising neuron spike detection" observed.
Neuralink's Brain Chips for Human Testing
It has been years since Elon Musk revealed his new company called Neuralink which centers on creating brain chips that the company would implant to bring artificial intelligence to a person. This would lead to fusing artificial intelligence into a person for "AI symbiosis," as Musk called it, with the company and its CEO long hinting at the possibility of human trials.
There have been certain concerns from experts and the public regarding the human applications of Neuralink's brain chips for a long time now, with many looking to block it from proceeding.
A previous controversy involving Neuralink also sparked massive protests against the company as its monkey test subject died in its lab, with the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) claiming animal abuse.
Last year, the company received the approval to proceed with human testing of its disputed brain chip, but there were no updates from the company apart from seeking volunteers for the project.
Fast forward to almost a year later, Musk announced the update to its actual testing which turned out to be a success, also reporting brain activity immediately after its application.
