'We Want To Give People Super Powers' Elon Musk Envisions Neuralink Brain Chip Transforming Lives Like Geordi La Forge From Star Trek

The idea of a brain chip giving people superpowers like telepathy sounds futuristic, but Neuralink is close to making that a reality. If you aren’t familiar with Neuralink, it’s the brain chip company founded by Elon Musk in 2016. The company aims to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that could revolutionize how we interact with technology and treat neurological conditions.

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In January of this year, Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old quadriplegic, received the N1 Implant to kick off the human trials. The device features a computer chip embedded in the skull and an electrode array in the brain. It allows Arbaugh to control a computer cursor with his thoughts. The implant boasts 64 superfine threads containing 1,024 electrodes, significantly more than traditional BCIs. 

The journey hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing. About 85% of the electrode threads retracted from Arbaugh’s brain tissue, impacting the device’s performance. Despite this, Neuralink’s team enhanced the implant’s sensitivity and retooled the system, allowing Arbaugh to regain cursor control. Despite any challenges, Arbaugh remains positive about his experience with the Neuralink implant. As he put it in an interview with NewsNation, "there aren't words to describe how amazing" this technology is.

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Musk mentioned that Neuralink will try to mitigate the issue of its electrode threads retracting from brain tissue in the upcoming surgeries by eliminating an air pocket that might have contributed to the problem and inserting the threads more accurately on the brain’s folds.

Musk announced that the company aims to implant its device in a second human patient and hopes to have devices in patients numbering ‘in the high single digits’ by the end of the year. According to Musk, the long-term vision goes beyond merely restoring prior brain functionality. In a July 10 video posted to X, Musk emphasized that the goal is to “give people superpowers” and provide functionality "far greater than a normal human."

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In the video, he elaborated on these potential superpowers, stating that future iterations of the device could enable users to control computers and phones telepathically and even grant enhanced sensory abilities. He mentioned the possibility of allowing people to see in infrared, ultraviolet, and radar spectrums, drawing a comparison to the character Geordi La Forge from Star Trek. He reiterated that he wants to clarify, "We want to give people superpowers."

As Neuralink pushes forward, they’re working on expanding the device’s capabilities, exploring things like multiple clicks and keyboard shortcuts. It’s exciting stuff, but it’s crucial to remember that they're still in the early stages. Long-term safety, efficacy, and ethical implications will need careful monitoring as this mind-bending technology progresses.

According to CNBC, Neuralink was valued at about $2 billion in a private fundraising round two years ago but is now worth around $5 billion based on privately executed stock trades. This surge in valuation highlights the exciting potential of investing in innovative startups like Neuralink. Opportunities to invest in such groundbreaking ventures can be both thrilling and rewarding. While investing in startups carries inherent risks, it also offers the chance to be part of transformative developments that could shape the future.

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