Thousands Line Up for the Chance to Get Elon Musk’s Neuralink Chip Installed in Their Brain
by Lucas Nolan
Thousands of people have reportedly shown interest in participating in the FDA-approved human trials of the brain-computer interface developed by Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Test participants will have a computer chip installed in their brain, and can only hope for better results than Musk’s test monkeys, many of which suffered a gruesome fate.
Business Insider reports that Neuralink, the brain-computer interface startup co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, has seen a surge in public interest for its upcoming human trials. A recent report indicates that thousands have lined up to be part of the trials, which involve the implantation of a brain chip, referred to by Musk as a “Fitbit in your skull.” This development follows the FDA’s approval for Neuralink to commence human trials, after initially rejecting its bid over safety concerns.
Neuralink’s ambitious project aims to create a symbiosis between humans and machines, allowing for direct communication and control via thought. While the initial focus is on aiding individuals with neurological disorders, such as those with paralysis due to spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the long-term vision extends to broader applications including message sending or game playing using only thoughts.