Keeping up with Elon Musk.
Nowadays, it is harder to keep up with Elon Musk that it is to keep up with the Kardashians. Keep reading to learn more about his latest company, Neuralink, at it’s progress on implanting electric chips on the human brain.
In 2023, it seems to be harder to keep up with Elon Musk’ Neuralink company than it is to keep up with the Kardashians. In this article, we will break down the science behind the company, its controversy, and scientific background that promises to change the modern approach to artificial intelligence interactions with the human body.
The vision that the company has in mind, is like no other before. The attempt to combine artificial intelligence to enhance the human body, has the potential to truly transform the way the human body functions. Putting an end to quadriplegics, making the paralyzed be able to move their muscles again, along with stimulating optical nerves to make the blind see again are amongst a few of the promises that Musk makes.
“Make the blind see again, the paralyzed walk again”
The company received authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in late March of 2023 to proceed with clinical trials, meaning that it is now a procedure that is in the process of gathering willing individuals to test the microchip surgery. By doing this, the company will then seek FDA approval to sell the procedure publicly in the medical market, but there is still a couple of years before this happens.
Let’s talk about the core of Neuralink, the surgical procedure and why it combines artificial intelligence with neural activity.
THE SCIENCE:
The scientific term used to describe the Neuralink Link brain chip is a “computer brain interface,” which means that Neuralink is basically powered by a series of over 16,000 tiny electrodes that connect directly into different parts of your brain.
Incredibly enough the chip is the size of a large coin, and the surgery is set to take no more than 25 minutes.
“Once a human surgeon cuts a hole in a patient’s skull, the robot performs the ultra-delicate task of placing the electrode-laced wires, which Neuralink calls threads, into the brain”
The surgery is conducted by the 7-ft robot created by Musk called “The Link.'' The surgical robot has precise targeting technology that will directly implant the electrodes into the areas of the brain that malfunction. The robot was created to prevent human error, because the areas where the electrodes are connected are active while the surgery takes place, the robot reduces room for error by being able to work through computer analytics of the neuron firing patterns that the patient has.
BOTTOM LINE:
Elon Musk’s approach to cure and change the lives of millions who struggle with brain malfunction might come to an end. However, the company deals with ethical controversy and is still in the clinical trial process. Combining artificial intelligence to enhance and increase the abilities that one has with their body is something that we have been doing for a long time. Wearing glasses, hearing implants, and sunscreen all simple examples of how we increase our performance as human beings. However, this might be the next big step into a new era of technology that we never thought possible.
