Musk: Elon Musk’s plan to implant a computer in people’s brains gets a ‘big’ approval – Times of India

Apart from Tesla, Twitter and SpaceX, the one company that Elon Musk is extremely vocal about is Neuralink. Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded by Musk in 2016. The company is developing implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) that could be used to treat neurological disorders, improve human cognition, and even create a new form of human-machine communication. Neuralink has now announced on Twitter that it had received the FDA’s approval to launch its first-in-human clinical study. “We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study! This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people” the company said in a tweet.
What are these brain computers?
Neuralink’s BCIs are made up of a thin, flexible chip that is implanted into the brain. The chip is connected to a small, wireless transmitter that sits outside the skull. The transmitter sends and receives signals between the chip and a computer.
The chip contains thousands of tiny electrodes that can record and stimulate neural activity. This allows the BCI to track brain activity and send signals back to the brain to control movement, sensation, and other functions.
Neuralink has already successfully tested its BCIs in animals. In 2019, the company showed a video of a monkey playing a video game using only its thoughts. The monkey had a Neuralink chip implanted in its brain, and the chip was able to track the monkey’s brain activity and control the movement of a cursor on the screen.
What could be the benefits of it?
Neuralink’s BCIs could be used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries. Furthermore, Neuralink’s BCIs could be used to improve human cognition by enhancing memory, learning, and attention.