Elon Musk Divides Fans Amid News Of NeuraLink’s Human Trial 'Recovering' From Brain Chip Implant

Elon Musk has revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that NeuraLink has conducted its first human trial and successfully implanted its brain chip. The brain scientist startup company is creating a "Telepathy" product to allow people to control devices through their thoughts alone.

NeuraLink was approved for human study in May 2023, and Musk himself has confirmed that he would receive an implant. However, the company has been repeatedly accused of violating the Animal Welfare Act. Musk also allegedly misled investors about NeuraLink's safety and might face charges for alleged securities fraud.

Musk has revealed that NeuraLink has made another huge stride in its human telepathy project. The billionaire and tech entrepreneur posted about the human trial on X. In it, he revealed that the unidentified patient "received an implant" and is now "recovering well."

His tweet further revealed that initial results from the trial "show promising neuron spike detection." Musk didn't share any further information about the procedure to implant the chip or details about the patient's condition.

The brain chip implanted is a quarter-size chip implant that hosts dozens of tiny threadlike electrodes. These electrodes are surgically implanted into the human brain and, once a connection is established, can relay electrical signals from neurons. According to Reuters, the chip is placed in the region that controls the body's will and intention to move and do basic functions.

After Musk tweeted about the NeuraLink milestone, users on the social media platform were divided, with some praising the business mogul and others questioning the safety.

Someone commented, "I remember the outrage about the wild conspiracy that the COVID vaccine contains a microchip. The same clowns don't have a problem with this."

Another person said, "Elon Musk says the first patient to receive a brain chip from his company Neuralink is showing promising results, which by his standards means they haven't exploded or caught fire."

One Netizen even called Musk the Anti-Christ, saying, "ELON MUSK IS THE ANTI-CHRIST. HE'S THE ONLY ONE FULLY JABBED INSTALLING MICROCHIPS IN PEOPLE'S HEADS. THESE ARE F----- FACTS !!!!!!!!"

On Monday evening, Musk took to Twitter to reveal that NeuraLink's first product is called "Telepathy." He's previously announced that the brain implant itself would be called "Link." It's unclear whether "Telepathy" and "Link" are the same or different products.

In a subsequent tweet, Musk revealed more about the "Telepathy" product. He said the brain chip would allow people to control devices, especially phones and computers, through their thoughts alone.

He wrote, "Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal." Musk also said the company aims to restore vision, even for those born blind, and restore "full body functionality."

According to CNBC, NeuraLink was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human trials for the brain chip in May 2023. Neuralink then began recruiting participants in September.

In 2022, Musk himself confirmed on Twitter that he'd also receive a brain chip implant once it was ready. His tweet read, "You could have a Neuralink device implanted right now, and you wouldn't even know. I mean, hypothetically …. In fact, in one of these demos, I will."

His announcement of the successful human NeuraLink implant comes after the infamous June 2023 procedure from their competitor, Precision Neuroscience. It's likely that encouraged the company to speed up their testing.

Since Musk created NeuraLink in 2016, they've been barraged with multiple accusations of Animal Welfare violations. However, a December 2022 report from Reuters revealed the Agriculture Department did an investigation and found only one violation. The only violation was a self-reported 2019 incident, where a surgeon used an unapproved sealant to close drilled holes into a test monkey's skull.

Musk himself has received multiple allegations of securities fraud. In November, four lawmakers requested an investigation into Musk from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The allegations are that Musk misled NeuraLink investors about the safety of the company's products.

This was due to reports that animal testing had caused various health issues for the monkeys, including brain swelling, seizures, and paralysis. Earlier this month, NeuraLink was fined $2,480 for violating U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials.