Elon Musk’s brain-implant company, Neuralink, has recently been given approval by the US government to proceed with human testing. Neuralink is a neurotechnology venture co-founded in 2016 by Musk along with a team of scientists and engineers, with the aim of creating direct communication channels between humans and computers. The hardware in question is an implant called the “Link”, which would be surgically placed inside the human brain and would enable electrodes to record neural activity and stimulate specific regions of the brain.
While the goal of Neuralink is to supercharge human capabilities and treat neurological disorders such as ALS or Parkinson’s, it ultimately seeks to establish a symbiotic relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The implant could also potentially blur the lines between human consciousness and computing, a prospect that enthuses technologists, while provoking fears about a dystopian future ruled by cyborgs. A Pew Research survey in 2020 revealed that 78% of US adults would probably or definitely refuse to have a computer chip implanted in their brain to enhance brain function.
Neuralink’s technology represents just one of several ongoing projects in the field of brain-machine or brain-computer interface research. According to data company Pitchbook, the venture has raised at least $363 million and has more than 400 employees. Musk is not the only tycoon in this space, but he attracts the most headlines. Another project in the same field is the implant developer, Synchron, which Musk reportedly approached to discuss a prospective investment. Unlike Neuralink’s Link, Synchron’s implant does not require an invasive procedure to install it. The company implanted its first device in a US patient in July 2022.
Several other companies also seek to play a part in this area, including BrainCo, Kernel, and CTRL-Labs. Another implant project from Blackrock Neurotech is primarily designed for research purposes and has received FDA approval for human testing. In addition, a Neuralink co-founder has reportedly left the project to create his own venture capital-funded project called Science.
While best known for its implant technology, Neuralink has been the subject of controversy concerning the ethics of animal testing. A December Reuters report stated that the US Department of Agriculture had launched an investigation into possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act by Neuralink. The report estimated that Neuralink had killed over 1,500 animals – including more than 280 sheep, pigs, and monkeys – for research purposes since 2018. While the USDA stated that it could not comment on the matter, arch-rival Synchron apparently killed roughly 80 sheep as part of its research, according to documents seen by Reuters.
