Neuralink implants brain chip in human for first time, Elon Musk says

Unidentified recipient reportedly 'recovering well' and showing 'promising neuron spike detection'

The Neuralink disk implant held by Elon Musk during a presentation in 2020. AFP

Elon Musk on Monday said his Neuralink start-up had installed a brain implant in a human for the first time with “promising” initial results.

The neurotechnology company co-founded by Mr Musk in 2016 aims to build direct communication channels between the brain and computers.

The aim is to supercharge human capabilities and treat neurological disorders including ALS or Parkinson's, while the implant could one day achieve a symbiotic relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.

“The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well,” Mr Musk said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”

The start-up last year said it had won approval from US regulators to test its brain implants in people.

Neuralink's technology will mainly work through an implant called the “Link” – a device about the size of five stacked coins that is placed inside the human brain through invasive surgery.

According to data company Pitchbook, last year California-based Neuralink had more than 400 employees and had raised at least $363 million.

Although he wins most of the headlines, Mr Musk is hardly alone in trying to make advances in the field, which is officially known as brain-machine or brain-computer interface research.

Hit with delays, the tycoon had reportedly reached out to join forces with implant developer Synchron about a potential investment.

Unlike Neuralink's Link, its implant version does not require cutting into the skull to install it.

The Australia-based Synchron implanted its first device in a US patient in July 2022.