Elon Musk excitedly announced that Neuralink has successfully implanted a brain-machine interface device in the second human subject. This breakthrough marks a solid step towards the future of telepathy.
The first patient, Noland Arbaugh, has already demonstrated the potential of Neuralink technology by controlling a computer with his thoughts. Now, the successful implantation of the second patient, using 400 electrodes, heralds further maturity and stability of this technology.
In an extensive 8.5-hour interview with tech host Lex Fridman, Musk and his core team shared insights into Neuralink's internal workings and its grand vision for the future of humanity. They revealed plans to complete at least eight implant surgeries this year.
Neuralink's short-term goal is to address basic neural damage in the spine, neck, or brain. Their first product, "Telepathy," aims to help individuals with neuron damage regain bodily functions. Following this, the revolutionary "Blindsight" aims to restore vision to the blind.
Musk is confident in Neuralink's long-term vision, expecting that within the next one to two years, those implanted with Neuralink will have reaction speeds and sensitivities surpassing those of professional gamers. He even predicts that, with technological advancements, Neuralink patients will possess vision beyond the human eye, capable of seeing different wavelengths of light.
Neuralink's communication speed is also rapidly increasing, expected to reach 1M bits per second, far exceeding current human communication speeds. Musk believes this will be a crucial step towards achieving symbiosis between humans and AI.
In the interview, Musk also addressed the safety and regulatory issues of Neuralink. He emphasized that the company adheres to the gold standard for safety and is under FDA supervision for all operations.
Neuralink's co-founder, President, and COO DongJin Seo also participated in the interview, explaining why Neuralink chose invasive brain-machine interface technology and the importance of high-resolution, high-fidelity data.
Musk's "sci-fi narrative" was also reflected in the interview. He expressed curiosity about extraterrestrial life and his vision for humanity to become a multi-planetary species. He also shared his unique insights on engineering and innovation, including his "five-step mantra" for guiding engineers to simplify and optimize designs.
As Neuralink technology continues to advance, Musk believes that millions of people will eventually implant this device, achieving deep integration between humans and AI, and ushering in a new era of communication and cognition.