Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company spearheaded by renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk, has announced a significant development in its mission to revolutionize technology and medicine. The company has opened its patient registry to applicants worldwide, extending its groundbreaking mind-controlled technology to a broader spectrum of individuals suffering from severe disabilities.
Neuralink took to social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) on Wednesday, declaring the applications open to those suffering from quadriplegia, irrespective of their geographical location.
The company stated, “If you have quadriplegia and are interested in exploring groundbreaking ways to control a computer using your thoughts, you can now sign up from anywhere in the world.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Neuralink the green light to conduct human testing in September 2023. Since then, only three individuals have been approved for a brain-computer implant.
Neuralink’s applicant questionnaire specifies that candidates must be at least 18 years old and diagnosed with quadriplegia, paraplegia, visual impairment, or speech impairment. Additional requirements include a fluency in English, no known allergies to metal or contrast dye, medical insurance, and the disclosure of biological sex.
The company further clarified that it would not accept individuals with pre-existing implanted devices, a history of seizures, a need for regular MRIs due to ongoing medical conditions, or those receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment.
Selected test subjects will receive compensation for study-related costs, including travel expenses.
Conceived by Musk in 2016, Neuralink aims to develop advanced brain-computer interface technology to address neurological disorders. Its long-term vision is to establish a direct interface between humans and artificial intelligence.
During a Tesla all-hands meeting in March, Musk speculated about a future where the line between human and machine would become increasingly blurred.
He said, “Long term, we will also have enhancement of humans—optionally, if somebody wants to have cybernetic enhancements with Neuralink. If you want to go cybernetic and have superintelligence and see in different wavelengths, we could absolutely provide superhuman abilities via Neuralink in the future. One thing is for sure: the future is going to be very interesting.”
In May 2024, Musk announced that Neuralink was seeking a second participant for its brain-computer interface human trials. He described the technology as a “telepathy cybernetic brain implant that allows you to control your phone and computer just by thinking.”
Neuralink named 2024 the “Year of Telepathy” and introduced the world to the first human test subject of its brain-computer interface, Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man from Arizona.
While this brain-computer interface technology has significantly improved the ability of people with disabilities to communicate and interact with the world, it has not been without controversy. A 2022 report by Reuters revealed that over 1,500 animals had died in Neuralink’s brain-computer interface trials.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair and Josh Quittner.
