30 January 2024 , 09:11
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Elon Musk's fans have been left "terrified" and proclaiming "a cyborg is born" after he confirmed that the first human has received an implant from his brain-chip startup Neuralink.
The Tesla billionaire wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the implant was carried out on Sunday and the patient is "recovering well". He added: "Initial results show promising neuron spike detection."
Spikes are activity by neurons, which are described by the National Institute of Health as cells that use electrical and chemical signals to send information around the brain and to the body. Neuralink's goal is to allow a person to interact with a computer just by using their thoughts, and vice versa, and the company says that by doing so, it aims to help tackle complex neurological conditions and paralysis.
READ MORE: Elon Musk says Neuralink transplant has successfully attached computer to human brain
Neuralink was given permission to carry out the experiment last yearMr Musk said the brain chip will "enable control of your phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking." He added: "Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs."
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Referring to the late British scientist Stephen Hawking, who had motor neurone disease, Mr Musk said: "Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal." Neuralink was given permission to test the chip on humans by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year.
The company was given the green light for the start of its six-year study during which a robot is used to surgically place 64 flexible threads, thinner than a human hair, in a part of the brain that controls "movement intention", it explained. According to Neuralink, these threads will allow its experimental implant to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes how the person intends to move.
The chip was first experimented on monkeys (Neuralink)But after Mr Musk's announcement on X yesterday, many people expressed their concerns over the significance of the transplant and the risks involved in it. One said: "I'm terrified by the thought of it." Another commented: "This definitely scares me… I’m really curious what the use case will end up being for this."
A person tweeted: "I don’t love this." One more X user added: "We're about to get even weirder." However, despite leaving many people concerned, the announcement was described as "incredible" by some. One wrote: "I can't wait to see the results."
Another said: "Well done Neuralink and Elon!! This is might very well turn out to be an important moment in history." And a fan added: "Incredible milestone, congratulations to @neuralink and the patient!"
"The first cyborg has been born," another said. Someone else wrote: "I'm Very Mixed About This. It Can Have Life Changing Effects On People. But, If Abused!!!!" A person added: "I feel so sorry for that person."
One more worried social media user echoed: "Just because we can do it does not mean we should." Another commented: "So cool, scary, awe-inspiring, thought-provoking. Elon. Thank you for being such an awesome human being, constantly pushing the barriers of what is possible."
Earlier this month, it was reported that Neuralink was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DoT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials. During inspections of the company’s facilities in Texas and California in February 2023, DoT investigators found the company had failed to register itself as a transporter of hazardous material.
They also found packaging of hazardous waste, including the flammable liquid Xylene. The substance can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination and even death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In June, Neuralink was valued as high as $5bn (£4bn), based on private stock trades.