Musk’s Neuralink Plans 30 Brain Implants in 2025
News Desk
Islamabad: Neuralink Corp, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully implanted its device in a third human patient and plans to scale up the experimental procedure in 2025 with 20 to 30 additional implants.
Musk shared the announcement during a streamed event in Las Vegas on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We’ve now got three humans with Neuralinks implanted, and they’re all working well,” Musk said, underscoring progress in the company’s mission to merge human cognition with cutting-edge technology.
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Neuralink is part of a growing field exploring brain-computer interface (BCI) technology designed to aid individuals with severe neurological conditions like paralysis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The company’s implants involve delicate surgeries to place electrodes in the brain, enabling communication between neural signals and external devices.
The company launched its human trials last year, starting with Noland Arbaugh as its first recipient. Neuralink’s Prime Study, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), involves five paralyzed patients who use the implants to control external devices like smartphones or computers solely through thought.
A second FDA-approved trial, Convoy, focuses on enabling three patients to operate assistive robotic arms, showcasing the potential to restore a degree of independence for those with debilitating conditions.
Scaling Up in 2025
With plans to expand to 20 or 30 implants next year, Neuralink is taking a significant step toward broader clinical applications. While Musk acknowledged the technology is still in its infancy, he noted that the results so far are promising.
Neuralink’s advancements have positioned it as a leader in neural engineering, despite fierce competition from other startups in the BCI space. Its FDA approvals and ongoing trials highlight its progress, though the company faces challenges related to the safety, ethics, and long-term implications of integrating devices with the human brain.
Ethical Challenges
The experimental nature of Neuralink’s technology has drawn scrutiny over potential risks and ethical considerations. Experts emphasize the need for rigorous oversight and extensive research to ensure patient safety and the efficacy of these devices.
If successful, these trials could pave the way for revolutionary applications, from medical rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement. While Neuralink’s vision of brain-computer integration is ambitious, it represents a transformative frontier in medicine and technology, poised to redefine possibilities for individuals with severe neurological conditions.
