Elon Musk announces first Neuralink brain chip has been implanted in a human with very specific goal

Elon Musk has announced that the first Neuralink brain chip has been implanted into a human.

The tech tycoon's latest business venture looks like it could blow Tesla and SpaceX out of the water if its successful.

He founded the neurotechnology company - alongside a team of seven scientists and engineers - which has been hailed as the future for humanity, and a lifeline for people with severe impairments.

Musk has got a list as long as his arm about all the things his brain chips could do - but there is a very specific goal that he is working towards at the forefront of his mind.

In a series of posts on his social media platform X, he explained that human trials for Neuralink, referred to as the PRIME Study, were now underway and that the first patient has had the 'invisible brain-computer' implanted.

The pioneering company previously explained that a robot which they have developed would surgically place the implants 'ultra fine' threads - which help transmit signals in the patient's brain - throughout the landmark study.

In a post on Monday (29 January), Musk said: "The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection."

Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Spikes are the activity by neurons - which are cells that use electrical and chemical signals to send information around the brain and to the body, according to the National Institute of Health.

Musk revealed that the name of the first product which is currently being trialled is 'Telepathy, explaining that it 'enables 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. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal."

Musk reckons people with obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia, as well as quadriplegics could be the biggest beneficiaries of the device.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Neuralink the ability to carry out human trials back in September last year after an independent review board gave the company the green light.

Neuralink

In a statement celebrating the approval, Neuralink said the study would be 'groundbreaking' and outlined what the company would be looking at intently.

The firm are evaluating the safety of the implant as well as the surgical robot which carries out the procedure, and the functionality of the brain chip for 'enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts'.

Neuralink said: "Micron-scale threads would be inserted into areas of the brain that control movement. Each thread contains many electrodes and connects them to an implant called the 'Link'.

"The threads on the Link are so fine and flexible that they can’t be inserted by the human hand.

"Instead, we are building a robotic system that is designed to reliably and efficiently insert these threads exactly where the neurosurgeon wants them to be."