Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants second patient with brain chip mogul claims will give person 'superpowers'

Elon Musk , the founder of Neuralink, recently shared an update on the company's brain implants, revealing that a second patient has successfully received a chip.

During a podcast released Friday night, Musk, alongside three Neuralink executives and the first implant recipient, Noland Arbaugh, discussed the latest developments. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic for the past eight years, uses the implant to control a computer cursor with his thoughts.

"Let's say you can upload your memories, so you wouldn't lose memories," Musk speculated, noting that this concept could be mentally overwhelming. When asked if such advancements would alter the human experience, Musk responded, "Yeah, we would be something different. Some sort of futuristic cyborg… it's not super far away, but 10-15 years, that kind of thing."

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Details about the surgery for the second patient remain unclear. However, the FDA approved Neuralink's application to implant the brain chip in May. Musk mentioned plans to extend the implants to eight more patients this year as part of the ongoing clinical trials. Neuralink, based in Fremont, California, is among several groups working on connecting the nervous system to computers to treat brain disorders and injuries.

In May 2023, Neuralink received FDA approval to begin human trials for its brain implants. The company had previously sought volunteers, ideally quadriplegic adults under 40. The implant, about the size of a large coin, is designed to be placed in the skull with ultra-thin wires connecting directly to the brain. It reads and analyzes brain activity, wirelessly transmitting information to a nearby device.

Musk has previously highlighted the potential benefits, stating, "Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal." Hawking, the late physicist, suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease, a condition causing paralysis.

Musk, also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, founded Neuralink in 2016 and has sought approval for human trials since 2019. After initial rejection in early 2022, Neuralink addressed the FDA's safety concerns.

The current study is expected to last six years, with participants having regular follow-ups to monitor progress and ensure the device's efficacy.