Elon Musk's Brain Chip Firm, Neuralink, In The News?

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Elon Musk has a company called Neuralink that's been in the news lately. But did you know he also owns a rocket company called SpaceX?

Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain chip company, got approval for its first human clinical trial. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it, which is a big deal. Neuralink had some problems getting approved before.

Neuralink tweeted that the FDA's approval is very significant. It is the beginning of a process that will eventually benefit many people.

The study's goals were not explained. It is not accepting participants at the moment. More information will come later.

Neuralink's Goal: What Is It?

The company wants computers to speak with our brains in a new way.

Neuralink wants to take on difficult neurological problems. Medical treatments have not been successful in addressing these issues. Examples include paralysis, blindness, depression, and schizophrenia.

How Does It Function?

To do it, they place a very small chip into the brain of the patient. It's hermetically sealed.

The chip has 1,024 tiny electrodes, thin like a hair. It uses a battery which can recharge wirelessly. The chip can connect with a computer and send/receive signals.

This thing has three parts: physical risks that happen soon; medical problems that might happen in the future; and safety related to ethics.

Brain surgery is risky because it can cause physical harm. Also, the brain might reject the surgery. Testing the chips on animals has been done, but it's controversial.

In February, there was a complaint filed to the US Department of Agriculture. The complaint accused people of treating macaque monkeys badly. This is happening while they are being used to test technology.

The FDA has approved human testing. This means the company overcame some challenges.

Perhaps the big worry is what will happen in the future when a device like this is inside the brain. The brain is very complicated, and we don't know much about it yet.

There is currently no information on the possible dangers of the product. Testing on people will bring more knowledge about this. This is very important for creating similar products.

The last part, ethical safety, is somewhat vague. There are worries about keeping data safe and how technology could be used to enhance humans.

We want to enhance human abilities beyond what we can do now. This might mean better senses, thinking, or physical skills. People have strong feelings about this and it raises ethics issues. So, we need strict rules for this field.

What Fuels Elon Musk's Drive?

Elon Musk and seven others created the company in California in 2016. Now, only two of those eight co-founders are still there.

Elon Musk takes an entrepreneur's approach to a scientific problem, which gets a lot of attention. He's famous and often creates controversy.

When he talks, people usually pay attention. People are discussing Neuralink because of his participation.

Is This Strategy Being Adopted By Other Firms?

Some other companies are also working on brain implant technology, including Black Rock Neuro Tech. They are said to be at a similar stage of development as Neuralink, and some may be further along.

Meta, which owns Facebook, is developing non-invasive wearable technology for typing with the mind. Other work is also ongoing, but not as intrusive.

Swiss scientists made a paralyzed man walk again. Many people are now involved in this growing field.

Having Elon Musk on board helps Neuralink get attention, but that doesn't necessarily make them winners. Other factors matter too.

It depends on which technology is more effective and can be proven to regulators and markets that it's safe.