Neuralink reveals first human trial patient, a 29-year-old quadriplegic who says brain chip is 'not perfect' but has changed his life
Business InsiderMar 26
The Facts
Elon Musk's brain-chip start-up Neuralink has released a video of its first patient moving a cursor and playing chess on his laptop, using a chip implanted in his brain.
Noland Arbaugh, 29, who has been paralyzed below the shoulders for eight years since a diving accident, received an implant in January.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Brain interface technology, like the device implanted in Arbaugh's brain, has the capacity to greatly improve the quality of life of disabled people. While Neuralink is certainly not the only company developing this kind of technology, nor is it the most groundbreaking, this development should still be celebrated for its positive human impact.
Establishment-critical narrative
The recent update of Neuralink's human trials is worrying, considering the issues and critiques the company has faced in its previous animal trials. Moreover, Arbaugh has hinted at some issues with the device in the video, which is why regulators should be wary of the technology's efficacy. There are too many red flags; Neuralink's human trials shouldn't go forward.