NEURALINK SAYS 12 PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED ITS BRAIN IMPLANTS

Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface startup Neuralink has confirmed that it has now implanted its device in 12 people, marking its most significant step yet toward testing the safety and functionality of its technology in humans.

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The disclosure underscores how quickly Neuralink is attempting to move from early-stage trials into broader testing, even as regulators and medical experts call for caution.

THE HUMAN TRIALS SO FAR

Neuralink began its first human implantation in January 2024 after receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start trials with paralyzed patients. The company’s coin-sized device, placed in the skull, connects electrodes to the brain's motor cortex, translating neural activity into digital signals.

The first known patient, a 29-year-old quadriplegic named Noland Arbaugh, demonstrated the system by playing video games and controlling a computer cursor with his thoughts. According to Neuralink, 11 additional people have since received implants, bringing the total to 12. Musk has previously said the company aims to scale to tens of thousands of patients if early results prove safe and effective.

WHAT THE DEVICE DOES