Neuralink

File:Pioneer Building, San Francisco (2019) -1.jpg

Neuralink was founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a founding team of eight scientists and engineers: Max Hodak, Benjamin Rapoport, Dongjin Seo, Paul Merolla, Philip Sabes, Tim Gardner, Tim Hanson, and Vanessa Tolosa.{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2021-05-02 |title=Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak leaves Elon Musk's brain implant company |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/01/neuralink-cofounder-max-hodak-leaves-elon-musks-brain-implant-company.html |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507105308/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/01/neuralink-cofounder-max-hodak-leaves-elon-musks-brain-implant-company.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2022-07-19 |title=Neuralink co-founder departs Musk-backed startup -sources |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/neuralink-merolla-idUKKBN2OU112 |access-date=2022-07-19 |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304005152/https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/neuralink-co-founder-departs-musk-backed-startup-sources-2022-07-19/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Vanian |first=Jeremy Kahn,Jonathan |title=Inside Neuralink, Elon Musk's mysterious brain chip startup: A culture of blame, impossible deadlines, and a missing CEO |url=https://fortune.com/longform/neuralink-brain-computer-interface-chip-implant-elon-musk/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Fortune |language=en}} The initial hires included experts in neuroscience, biochemistry, and robotics. In January 2017, Musk proxies approached Pedram Mohseni and Randolph Nudo, who owned the rights to the name "NeuraLink" and the prototype on which Musk's company based its work.{{Cite web |title=Meet the Guys Who Sold "Neuralink" to Elon Musk without Even Realizing It |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2017/04/04/152788/meet-the-guys-who-sold-neuralink-to-elon-musk-without-even-realizing-it/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}

In April 2017, Neuralink announced that it was aiming in the short term to make devices to treat serious brain diseases, with the eventual goal of human enhancement, sometimes called transhumanism.{{cite web |url=http://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html|title=Neuralink and the Brain's Magical Future|last=Urban|first=Tim|date=20 April 2017 |work=Wait But Why|access-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504070817/https://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html|archive-date=May 4, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Newitz|first1=Annalee|title=Elon Musk is setting up a company that will link brains and computers|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2017/03/elon-musk-is-setting-up-a-company-that-will-link-brains-and-computers/|work=Ars Technica|date=March 27, 2017|language=en-us|access-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519001313/https://arstechnica.com/business/2017/03/elon-musk-is-setting-up-a-company-that-will-link-brains-and-computers/|archive-date=May 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Musk said his interest in the idea partly stemmed from the concept of "neural lace" in the fictional universe in The Culture, a series of 10 novels by Iain M. Banks.{{cite news|last1=Cross|first1=Tim|title=The novelist who inspired Elon Musk|newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.1843magazine.com/culture/the-daily/the-novelist-who-inspired-elon-musk|publisher=1843 Magazine|date=31 March 2017|access-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521060034/https://www.1843magazine.com/culture/the-daily/the-novelist-who-inspired-elon-musk|archive-date=May 21, 2017|url-status=live}}

Musk defined the neural lace as a "digital layer above the cortex" that would not necessarily require extensive surgical insertion but could be implanted through a vein or artery.[https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/31/elon-musk-thinks-we-will-have-to-use-ai-this-way-to-avoid-a-catastrophic-future.html Elon Musk thinks we will have to use AI this way to avoid a catastrophic future] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005819/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/31/elon-musk-thinks-we-will-have-to-use-ai-this-way-to-avoid-a-catastrophic-future.html |date=February 13, 2019 }}. Robert Ferris, CNBC News. 31 January 2017. He said the long-term goal is to achieve "symbiosis with artificial intelligence",[https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ai-could-turn-humans-into-endangered-species-2018-11 Elon Musk believes AI could turn humans into an endangered species like the mountain gorilla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204090202/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ai-could-turn-humans-into-endangered-species-2018-11 |date=December 4, 2018 }}. Isobel Asher Hamilton, Business Insider. 26 November 2018. which he perceives as an existential threat to humanity if unchecked.[https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/neuralink-elon-musk/ Everything you need to know about Neuralink: Elon Musk's brainy new venture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206013654/https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/neuralink-elon-musk/ |date=December 6, 2018 }}. Tyler Lacoma, Digital Trends. 7 November 2017. He believes the device will be "something analogous to a video game, like a saved game situation, where you are able to resume and upload your last state" and "address brain injuries or spinal injuries and make up for whatever lost capacity somebody has with a chip."{{Cite web |date=2021-02-07 |title=Clubhouse Elon Musk interview transcript |url=https://zamesin.me/clubhouse-elon-musk-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127172012/https://zamesin.me/clubhouse-elon-musk-interview/ |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |access-date=2022-01-27 |website=Zamesin Ivan—from product to entrepreneur}}

Jared Birchall, the head of Musk's family office, was listed as Neuralink's CEO, CFO, and president in 2018.{{Cite web |last1=Glaser |first1=April |last2=Mak |first2=Aaron |last3=Oremus |first3=Will |date=2018-08-17 |title=Why Elon Musk's Companies Aren't Melting Down, Even If He Is |url=https://slate.com/technology/2018/08/why-elon-musks-companies-arent-melting-down-even-if-he-is.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720190248/https://slate.com/technology/2018/08/why-elon-musks-companies-arent-melting-down-even-if-he-is.html |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |access-date=2019-07-20 |website=Slate Magazine}} {{As of|2018|09}}, Musk was its majority owner but did not hold an executive position.[https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/2018/neuralink-101618-506d.pdf No-Action Letter: Neuralink Corp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720190247/https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/2018/neuralink-101618-506d.pdf|date=July 20, 2019}}. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), October 16, 2018 Co-founder Benjamin Rapoport cited safety concerns as a major influence on his decision to leave Neuralink in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Richard |first=Isaiah |date=2024-05-06 |title=Neuralink Co-Founder Reveals 'Safety' Concerns as the Reason for Leaving Elon Musk, the Company |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/304351/20240506/neuralink-co-founder-reveals-safety-concerns-reason-leaving-elon-musk.htm |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Tech Times |language=en-US}} Rapoport subsequently founded Precision Neuroscience, emphasizing the use of surface electrodes as opposed to the penetrating electrodes of Neuralink, in order to address brain damage and other safety concerns caused by Neuralink's devices.{{Cite web |last=Gizmodo |first=Matt Novak / |date=2024-05-07 |title=A Neuralink co-founder on why he left Elon Musk's brain chip startup |url=https://qz.com/neuralink-brain-chip-safety-elon-musk-benjamin-rapoport-1851460604 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Quartz |language=en}}

By August 2020, only three of the eight founding scientists remained at the company, according to an article by Stat News. It reported that Neuralink had seen "years of internal conflict in which rushed timelines have clashed with the slow and incremental pace of science".{{Cite web |date=2020-08-25 |title=Ahead of Neuralink event, ex-employees detail research timeline clashes |url=https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/25/elon-musk-neuralink-update-brain-machine-implants/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827230643/https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/25/elon-musk-neuralink-update-brain-machine-implants/ |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-06 |website=STAT}} {{As of|2020}}, Neuralink was headquartered in San Francisco's Mission District, sharing the Pioneer building with OpenAI, another company Musk co-founded.{{Cite news |last=Conger|first=Kate|title=Elon Musk's Neuralink Sought to Open an Animal Testing Facility in San Francisco|work=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/elon-musks-neuralink-sought-to-open-an-animal-testing-f-1823167674|url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145028/https://gizmodo.com/elon-musks-neuralink-sought-to-open-an-animal-testing-f-1823167674|archive-date=September 24, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615181/ai-openai-moonshot-elon-musk-sam-altman-greg-brockman-messy-secretive-reality/|title=The messy, secretive reality behind OpenAI's bid to save the world|last=Hao|first=Karen |date=2020-02-17|website=MIT Technology Review|access-date=2020-03-09}} {{As of|2022}}, Neuralink's headquarters were in Fremont, California.

In April 2021, Neuralink demonstrated a monkey playing the game "Pong" using a Neuralink implant.{{Cite web |author=Guy |first=Jack |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink claims monkeys can play Pong using just their minds |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/elon-musk-neuralink-pong-scli-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409145815/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/elon-musk-neuralink-pong-scli-intl/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=CNN}} Similar technology had existed since 2002, when a research group demonstrated a monkey moving a computer cursor with neural signals, but scientists acknowledged that making the implant wireless and increasing the number of implanted electrodes represented engineering progress.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-13|title=Neuralink's Monkey Experiment Raises Questions From Scientists and Tech Ethicist |url=https://observer.com/2021/04/elon-musk-neuralink-monkey-demo-draw-skepticism-buscientist/|access-date=2021-04-14 |website=Observer |archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414035513/https://observer.com/2021/04/elon-musk-neuralink-monkey-demo-draw-skepticism-scientist/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Andrew |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Elon Musk really wants to impress you with his Neuralink monkey |url=https://www.inputmag.com/culture/elon-musk-really-wants-to-impress-you-with-his-neuralink-monkey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414035514/https://www.inputmag.com/culture/elon-musk-really-wants-to-impress-you-with-his-neuralink-monkey |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=2021-04-14 |website=Input |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-14|title=Private money will really push the field forward |url=https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/private-money-will-really-push-field-forward|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419182721/https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/private-money-will-really-push-field-forward|archive-date=2021-04-19|access-date=|website=The Psychologist|language=en}}

In May 2021, co-founder and president Max Hodak announced that he no longer worked with the company. Only two of the eight co-founders remained at the company as of January 2022.{{Cite web|title=Inside Neuralink, Elon Musk's mysterious brain chip startup: A culture of blame, impossible deadlines, and a missing CEO|url=https://fortune.com/longform/neuralink-brain-computer-interface-chip-implant-elon-musk/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Fortune|language=en|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925142727/https://fortune.com/longform/neuralink-brain-computer-interface-chip-implant-elon-musk/|url-status=live}}

On February 8, 2024, Musk changed the location of Neuralink's business incorporation from Delaware to Nevada{{Cite news |date=2024-02-09 |title=Musk's Neuralink Ditches Delaware, Reincorporates in Nevada |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-09/musk-s-neuralink-ditches-delaware-reincorporates-in-nevada |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}} after Delaware Chancery Court Chief Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick voided Musk's $55 billion pay package at Tesla.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=Musk's $55 Billion Pay Package Voided, Threatening World's Biggest Fortune |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-30/elon-musk-s-55-billion-tesla-pay-package-voided-by-judge |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}

In 2018, Gizmodo reported that Neuralink "remained highly secretive about its work". Public records showed that it had sought to open an animal testing facility in San Francisco, but it subsequently began doing research at the University of California, Davis. In 2019, during a live presentation at the California Academy of Sciences, the Neuralink team revealed the technology of the first prototype it had been working on. It is a system that involves ultra-thin probes inserted into the brain, a neurosurgical robot to perform the operations, and a high-density electronic system capable of processing information from neurons. It is based on technology developed at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of California, Berkeley.{{cite patent |country=US |number=20180296243 |status=application |title=Methods, Compositions, and Systems for Device Implantation. |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180296243A1/en |inventor=Timothy L. Hanson, Michel M. Maharbiz, Philip N. Sabes }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131100511/https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180296243A1/en |date=January 31, 2022 }}

The probes, made mostly of polyimide, a biocompatible material, with a thin gold or platinum conductor, are inserted into the brain through an automated process performed by a surgical robot. Each probe consists of an area of wires that contains electrodes capable of locating electrical signals in the brain and a sensory area where the wire interacts with an electronic system that allows amplification and acquisition of the brain signal. Each probe contains 48 or 96 wires, each of which contains 32 independent electrodes, making a system of up to 3,072 electrodes per formation.[https://www.techbrackets.com/elon-musk-neuralink-merge-human-brain-ai/ Elon Musk's Neuralink Aims to Merge Human Brain With A.I.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729105513/https://www.techbrackets.com/elon-musk-neuralink-merge-human-brain-ai/|date=July 29, 2019}} Dinker, TechBrackets. 18 July 2019.

Neuralink says it has engineered a surgical robot capable of rapidly inserting many flexible probes into the brain, which may avoid the tissue damage and longevity problems associated with larger, more rigid probes.{{Cite journal |last1=Musk |first1=Elon |last2=Neuralink |date=Oct 2019 |title=An integrated brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels |journal=J Med Internet Res |volume=21 |issue=10 |language=en |at=e16194 |doi=10.2196/16194 |biorxiv=10.1101/703801 |issn=1438-8871 |pmid=31642810 |pmc=6914248 |s2cid=201192799 |doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last1=Biran |first1=Roy |last2=Martin |first2=David C. |last3=Tresco |first3=Patrick A.|date=2005-09-01 |title=Neuronal cell loss accompanies the brain tissue response to chronically implanted silicon microelectrode arrays |journal=Experimental Neurology |language=en |volume=195 |issue=1 |pages=115–126 |doi=10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.04.020 |issn=0014-4886 |pmid=16045910 |s2cid=14077903}}{{Cite journal |last1=Hanson |first1=Timothy L. |last2=Diaz-Botia |first2=Camilo A. |last3=Kharazia |first3=Viktor |last4=Maharbiz |first4=Michel M. |last5=Sabes |first5=Philip N. |date=2019-03-14 |title=The "sewing machine" for minimally invasive neural recording |url=https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/578542v1 |journal=bioRxiv |language=en |pages=578542 |doi=10.1101/578542 |s2cid=92316726 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121040556/https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/578542v1 |url-status=live}} This surgical robot has an insertion head with a 25 μm diameter needle made of tungsten-rhenium designed to attach to the insertion loops, inject individual probes, and penetrate the meninges and cerebral tissue; it can insert up to six wires (192 electrodes) per minute. A linear motor powers the needle, enabling fast retraction acceleration and varying insertion speeds. A 50-μm tungsten wire that has been bent at the tip and is driven both axially and rotationally makes up the pincher. An imaging stack is also included in the inserter head for needle guidance, real-time insertion viewing, and verification.{{Cite journal |last1=Levett |first1=Jordan J. |last2=Elkaim |first2=Lior M. |last3=Niazi |first3=Farbod |last4=Weber |first4=Michael H. |last5=Iorio-Morin |first5=Christian |last6=Bonizzato |first6=Marco |last7=Weil |first7=Alexander G. |date=2023-11-08 |title=Invasive Brain Computer Interface for Motor Restoration in Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37943244/ |journal=Neuromodulation: Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=S1094–7159(23)00754–7 |doi=10.1016/j.neurom.2023.10.006 |issn=1525-1403 |pmid=37943244|s2cid=265064893 }}{{Cite journal |last=Valle |first=Giacomo |date=2019-11-06 |title=The Connection Between the Nervous System and Machines: Commentary |journal=Journal of Medical Internet Research |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=e16344 |doi=10.2196/16344 |doi-access=free |issn=1438-8871 |pmc=6868503 |pmid=31692449}}

File:Elon Musk and the Neuralink Future.jpg

Neuralink has developed an application-specific integrated circuit to create a 1,536-channel recording system. This system consists of 256 amplifiers that can be individually programmed, analog-to-digital converters within the chip, and peripheral circuit control to serialize the digitized information obtained.{{cite web |last=Wiggers |first=Kyle |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Neuralink demonstrates its next-generation brain-machine interface |url=https://venturebeat.com/ai/neuralink-demonstrates-its-next-generation-brain-machine-interface/ |website=VentureBeat}} It aims to convert information obtained from neurons into an understandable binary code in order to achieve greater understanding of brain function and the ability to stimulate these neurons back. So far, Neuralink's electrodes are too big to record the firing of individual neurons; they can record only the firing of a group of neurons. Neuralink representatives believe this issue may be mitigated algorithmically, but it is computationally expensive and does not produce exact results.{{cite web|title=Neuralink Paper Review - Numenta Research Meeting | date=July 17, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-YiXuXdp8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724044932/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-YiXuXdp8|archive-date=July 24, 2019|access-date=2019-07-27 |publisher=Numenta, Inc.|via=YouTube}}

In July 2020, according to Musk, Neuralink obtained a FDA breakthrough device designation which allows limited human testing under the FDA guidelines for medical devices.{{Cite web |last=Metz |first=Rachel |date=2020-08-28 |title=Elon Musk shows off a working brain implant—in pigs |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/tech/elon-musk-neuralink/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004123623/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/tech/elon-musk-neuralink/index.html |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |access-date=2020-10-04 |website=CNN}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVvmgjBL74w&t=1291 Neuralink Progress Update, Summer 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217142917/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVvmgjBL74w&t=1291 |date=February 17, 2022 }}, Neuralink, 28 August 2020, accessed 4 October 2020.

On May 29, 2024, Musk issued a request for public input on a challenge facing Neuralink. He suggested that due to the size of the data in need of transmission, a compression rate of more than 200x was needed. The challenge specified that compression needed to be lossless, work under low power, and compress data in real time. Software consultant Roy van Rijn called the prospect of 200x lossless compression "just outlandish."{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Jordan |title=Neuralink looks to the public to solve a seemingly impossible problem |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/neuralink-compression-challenge-1.7216667 |work=CBC |date=May 28, 2024}}[https://content.neuralink.com/compression-challenge/README.html Neuralink Compression Challenge].

Neuralink tests its devices by surgically implanting them in the brains of live monkeys, pigs, and other animals.{{cite web |last1=Shead|first1=Sam|date=February 1, 2021|title=Elon Musk says his start-up Neuralink has wired up a monkey to play video games using its mind|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/elon-musk-neuralink-wires-up-monkey-to-play-video-games-using-mind.html|access-date=1 February 2021 |website=CNBC|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201210359/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/elon-musk-neuralink-wires-up-monkey-to-play-video-games-using-mind.html|url-status=live}} This has been criticized by groups such as PETA.{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Courtney |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Why Is Elon Musk Testing His Brain Implant on Pigs? |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a33850122/neuralink-brain-implant-animal-testing-pigs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125175615/https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a33850122/neuralink-brain-implant-animal-testing-pigs/ |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=26 January 2021 |website=Popular Mechanics}}

In August 2020, Neuralink conducted a live demo in which the brain activity of a pig, Gertrude, was displayed in real time.{{Cite web |last=Goud |first=Naveen |date=2020-09-01 |title=Elon Musk Neuralink puts AI chip in a Pig |url=https://www.cybersecurity-insiders.com/elon-musk-neuralink-puts-ai-chip-in-a-pig/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Cybersecurity Insiders |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2020-08-28 |title=Elon Musk Unveils Brain Computer Implanted in Pigs |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-28/elon-musk-to-unveil-neuralink-brain-computer-implanted-in-pigs |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}} A removable{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Julia Carrie |date=2020-08-29 |title=Neuralink: Elon Musk unveils pig he claims has computer implant in brain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/28/neuralink-elon-musk-pig-computer-implant |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=expert reaction to Elon Musk's Neuralink demonstration involving pigs {{!}} Science Media Centre |url=https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-elon-musks-neuralink-demonstration-involving-pigs/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-GB}} device the size of a coin (23 millimeters){{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Tanya |date=2020-11-01 |title=Elon Musk's Pig-Brain Implant Is Still a Long Way from 'Solving Paralysis' |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/elon-musks-pig-brain-implant-is-still-a-long-way-from-solving-paralysis/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-29 |title='Three little pigs': Elon Musk's Neuralink puts computer chips in pigs' brains |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-s-neuralink-puts-computer-chips-pigs-brains-bid-n1238782 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=NBC News |language=en}} implanted in Gertrude's brain recorded signals from the neurons connected to her snout as she interacted with her environment, such as when she sniffed or touched things.{{Cite web |last=Metz |first=Rachel |date=2020-08-29 |title=Elon Musk shows off a working brain implant — in pigs |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/28/tech/elon-musk-neuralink/index.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-31 |title=Elon Musk: We've already implanted Neuralink in live pigs |url=https://futurism.com/neoscope/elon-musk-neuralink-live-pigs |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Futurism}} The data showed that the technology could read and interpret brain signals, which is key to developing applications that could treat neurological conditions, enable brain-to-machine communication, or enhance human cognition.{{Cite web |last= |title=Elon Musk demonstrated a Neuralink brain implant in a live pig |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2253274-elon-musk-demonstrated-a-neuralink-brain-implant-in-a-live-pig/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/farming-business-management/elon-musk-uses-pigs-to-demo-brain-implants | title=Elon Musk uses pigs to demo brain implants }}{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink puts computer chips in pigs' brains |url=https://news.sky.com/story/elon-musks-neuralink-puts-computer-chips-in-pigs-brains-12058930 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Sky News |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2020-08-29 |title=Neuralink: Elon Musk unveils pig with chip in its brain |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53956683 |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Farr |first=Lori Ioannou,Christina |date=2020-08-28 |title=Elon Musk demonstrates brain-computer tech Neuralink in live pigs |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/28/elon-musk-demonstrates-brain-computer-tech-neuralink-in-live-pigs.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

The demonstration included two other pigs. The Neuralink chip implanted in one of the pigs was removed to demonstrate that it could be done safely without damaging the pig's health.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink puts computer chips in pig's brain |url=https://www.thepigsite.com/news/2020/08/elon-musks-neuralink-puts-computer-chips-in-pigs-brain |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.thepigsite.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wetsman |first=Nicole |date=2020-08-28 |title=Elon Musk trots out pigs in demo of Neuralink brain implants |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/28/21406143/elon-musk-neuralink-ai-pigs-demo-brain-computer-interface |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Verge |language=en}} The third pig, which did not have an implanted chip,{{Cite web |last=Vance |first=Ashlee |date=2020-08-29 |title=Elon Musk unveils brain computer implanted in pigs |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/elon-musk-unveils-brain-computer-implanted-in-pigs-20200830-p55ql5.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk's neuroscience startup unveils pig with computer chip in its brain - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7304984/elon-musk-neuroscience-pig-computer-chip/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Global News |language=en-US}} served as a comparison to show the similarity in health and behavior of the implanted and non-implanted pigs.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk shows Neuralink brain implant working in a pig |url=https://www.cnet.com/science/elon-musk-shows-neuralink-brain-implant-working-in-a-pig/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=CNET |language=en}}https://www.reuters.com/article/world/three-little-pigs-musks-neuralink-puts-computer-chips-in-animal-brains-idUSKBN25P022/

From 2017 to 2020, Neuralink's experiments on monkeys were conducted in partnership with University of California, Davis. At the end of the partnership, UC Davis transferred seven monkeys to Neuralink. In 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an animal welfare advocacy group, alleged that Neuralink and UC Davis had mistreated several monkeys, subjecting them to psychological distress, extreme suffering, and chronic infections due to surgeries.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-11 |title=Neuralink shows what happens when you bring "move fast and break things" to animal research |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2022/12/11/23500157/neuralink-animal-testing-elon-musk-usda-probe |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=www.vox.com |language=en}} Experiments conducted by Neuralink and UC Davis have involved at least 23 monkeys, and the PCRM believes that 15 of those died or were euthanized as a result of the experiments. The PCRM also alleged that UC Davis withheld photographic and video evidence of the mistreatment.{{cite web |last1=Vanian |first1=Jonathan |title=Elon Musk's brain-implant startup has a new legal headache—allegations that it abuses its monkeys |url=https://fortune.com/2022/02/09/elon-musks-neuralink-brain-implant-startup-monkeys-animal-mistreatment-complaint/ |website=Fortune |access-date=10 February 2022 |date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320204016/https://fortune.com/2022/02/09/elon-musks-neuralink-brain-implant-startup-monkeys-animal-mistreatment-complaint/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2022, Neuralink said that macaque monkeys were euthanized after experimentation and denied that any animal abuse had occurred.{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Hannah |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink confirms monkeys died in project, denies animal cruelty claims |website=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/17/business/elon-musk-neuralink-animal-cruelty-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217142221/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/17/business/elon-musk-neuralink-animal-cruelty-intl-scli/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Levy |first=Rachel |date=December 6, 2022 |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-faces-federal-probe-employee-backlash-over-animal-tests-2022-12-05/ |title=Exclusive: Musk's Neuralink faces federal probe, employee backlash over animal tests |publisher=Reuters |access-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206012000/https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-faces-federal-probe-employee-backlash-over-animal-tests-2022-12-05/ |url-status=live}} In December 2022, it was reported that Neuralink was under federal investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for animal welfare violations. Additionally, a Reuters report cited claims by several Neuralink employees that testing was rushed due to Musk's demands for fast results and that was causing needless animal suffering and deaths.{{Cite web |last1=Levy |first1=Rachael |last2=Lynch |first2=Sarah |last3=Taylor |first3=Marisa |date=2022-12-20 |title=Investigation of Musk's Neuralink targets federal oversight of animal testing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/20/neuralink-animal-testing-musk-investigation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221085520/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/20/neuralink-animal-testing-musk-investigation |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} A September 2023 exposé by Wired provided details on the primate deaths based on public records and confidential interviews with a former Neuralink employee and a researcher at the California National Primate Research Center.{{Cite magazine |last1=Mehrotra |first1=Dhruv |last2=Cameron |first2=Dell |date=September 20, 2023 |title=The Gruesome Story of How Neuralink's Monkeys Actually Died |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-pcrm-neuralink-monkey-deaths/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |issn=1059-1028}}{{Cite web |title=Terrible Things Happened to Monkeys After Getting Neuralink Implants, According to Veterinary Records |url=https://futurism.com/neoscope/terrible-things-monkeys-neuralink-implants |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Futurism|date=September 22, 2023 }} Those records showed complications with the installation of electrodes, including partial paralysis, bloody diarrhea, and brain swelling.

In 2022,{{Explain|reason=No specific date|date=November 2024}} after being rejected for human clinical trials by the FDA, Neuralink performed more tests on pigs to address safety concerns. Some of these pigs were observed to have developed granulomas (inflammatory tissues) in their brains. Neuralink could not determine the cause of the granulomas, but claimed that the implant and its associated threads were not the cause.{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Rachael |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Musk's Neuralink has faced issues with its tiny wires for years, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-has-faced-issues-with-its-tiny-wires-years-sources-say-2024-05-15/#:~:text=The%20company%20found%20that%20a,and%20records%20seen%20by%20Reuters. |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Reuters}}

In July 2023, an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture found no evidence of animal welfare breaches in the trials other than a self-reported incident from 2019.{{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Regulator says found no animal welfare breaches at Elon Musk firm beyond 2019 incident |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/regulator-says-found-no-animal-welfare-breaches-at-elon-musk-firm-beyond-2019-incident/articleshow/101965058.cms |access-date=2023-11-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719164959/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/regulator-says-found-no-animal-welfare-breaches-at-elon-musk-firm-beyond-2019-incident/articleshow/101965058.cms |archive-date=2023-07-19}} The PCRM disputed the investigation's result.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk Company Neuralink Given Free Pass for Animal Welfare Act Violations, USDA Reveals in Letter to Congress |website=PCRM |url=https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/elon-musk-company-neuralink-given-free-pass-animal-welfare-act-violations-usda#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20D.C.—Elon%20Musk's%20brain,sent%20in%20December%20and%20May|access-date=2023-11-14}}

In October 2023, Wired reported that Neuralink worked to keep details of animal suffering and death hidden from the public.{{cite web |last1=Cameraon |first1=Dell |last2=Mehrotra |first2=Dhruv |title=How Neuralink Keeps Dead Monkey Photos Secret |url=https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-uc-davis-monkey-photos-videos-secret/ |publisher=Wired |access-date=30 November 2023 |date=Oct 4, 2023}} In November 2023, U.S. lawmakers asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Neuralink deceived investors by omitting details about possible animal deaths.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-nerualink-congress-sec-letter/|title=US Lawmakers Ask SEC to Launch Fraud Investigation Into Elon Musk|magazine=WIRED |last1=Mehrotra |first1=Dhruv }}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-finds-problems-animal-lab-run-by-musks-brain-implant-company-2024-02-29/|title=Exclusive: Musk's Neuralink brain implant company cited by FDA over animal lab issues|publisher=Reuters}}

On March 21, 2024, Musk said that Neuralink's second product, Blindsight, was working in trials with monkeys. He said it operates at a low resolution that is expected to improve and that no monkey had died or been seriously injured due to a Neuralink device, contradicting earlier reports.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/elon-musk-neuralinks-next-implant-will-focus-on-curing-blindness|title=Elon Musk: Neuralink's Next Implant Will Focus on Curing Blindness|author=Kan, Michael|date=March 22, 2024|access-date=March 22, 2024}}

The New York Times reported that the Department of Agriculture was conducting an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of dozens of test monkeys and that in December 2024, Musk had posted a letter on X in which his lawyer informed him that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had reopened a separate investigation related to the alleged abuses. In January 2025, during the first week of his second term in office, President Donald Trump fired 17 inspectors general, including Phyllis Fong, who was responsible for the Agriculture Department's investigation.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/elon-musk-companies-conflicts.html/|title=Elon Musk's Business Empire Scores Benefits Under Trump Shake-Up|work=New York Times|author=Lipton, Eric; Grind, Kirsten|date=February 13, 2025|access-date=February 17, 2025}}

Both investigations were instigated by the nonprofit PCRM. In a December 2024 news release, PCRM wrote, "documents from the University of California, Davis, where Neuralink conducted monkey experiments from 2017 to 2020, reveal that implantation of the company's device caused debilitating health effects in monkeys, resulting in euthanasia. Animals experienced chronic infections, paralysis, swelling in the brain, loss of coordination and balance, and depression".{{cite web|url=https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/sec-reopens-investigation-elon-musks-neuralink-likely-launched-medical-ethics|title=SEC Reopens Investigation Into Elon Musk's Neuralink Likely Launched by Medical Ethics Group's Complaint About Monkey Deaths|publisher=Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine|date=December 13, 2025|access-date=February 17, 2025}}

With recent changes in the SEC's leadership, the fate of these investigations is not clear. Musk has denied the allegations of abuse.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/elon-musk-companies-conflicts.html/|title=Elon Musk's Business Empire Scores Benefits Under Trump Shake-Up|website=The New York Times }}

The FDA rejected Neurolink's 2022 application to pursue human clinical trials, citing "major safety concerns involving the device's lithium battery; the potential for the implant's tiny wires to migrate to other areas of the brain; and questions over whether and how the device can be removed without damaging brain tissue",{{Cite news |title=U.S. regulators rejected Elon Musk's bid to test brain chips in humans |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/neuralink-musk-fda/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |archive-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302213931/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/neuralink-musk-fda/ |url-status=live }} but then approved it in May 2023.{{Cite tweet|number=1661857379460468736|user=neuralink|title=We are excited to share that we have received the FDA's approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study! is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people. Recruitment is not yet open for our clinical trial. We'll announce more information on this soon!|author=Neuralink|date=2023-05-25}}

In September 2023, Neuralink began its first human trials under an investigational device exemption from the FDA.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Maanvi |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink approved to recruit humans for brain-implant trial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/19/elon-musk-neuralink-human-trials-brain-implant |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Studio |first=Play |title=Neuralink's First-in-Human Clinical Trial is Open for Recruitment {{!}} Blog |url=https://neuralink.com/blog/first-clinical-trial-open-for-recruitment?202308049001 |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Neuralink |date=September 19, 2023 |language=en}} The trials recruited people with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).{{Cite web |last=Porciello |first=Loris |date=2024-02-26 |title=Elon Musk e Neuralink, cos'è in realtà il chip impiantato nel cervello di un paziente e a cosa serve: la spiegazione |url=https://www.mrinformatico.it/elon-musk-e-neuralink-cose-in-realta-il-chip-impiantato-nel-cervello-di-un-paziente-e-a-cosa-serve-la-spiegazione/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Mr. Informatico |language=it-IT}}

On January 29, 2024, Musk said that Neuralink had successfully implanted Telepathy, a brain–computer interface (BCI) device, in a human on the previous day and that the patient was recovering from the surgery.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-30 |title=Elon Musk says Neuralink has implanted first brain chip in a human |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/29/elon-musk-neuralink-first-human-brain-chip-implant |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=The Guardian}} As it was a "first in human" and "early feasibility" trial to develop a concept, the company was not obligated to disclose details about the procedure or to prove safety or efficacy.{{cite web | last=Taylor | first=Marisa | title=Want details on Elon Musk's brain implant trial? You'll have to ask him | website=Reuters | date=2024-02-02 | url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/want-details-elon-musks-brain-implant-trial-youll-have-ask-him-2024-02-02/ | access-date=2024-02-15}} Neuralink provided a few details in February on the implant in a recruitment brochure for the Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface (PRIME) study.{{cite web |last1=Ko |first1=Andrew |last2=Jecker |first2=Nancy S. |date=2024-02-14 |title=Several companies are testing brain implants – why is there so much attention swirling around Neuralink? Two professors unpack the ethical issues |url=https://theconversation.com/several-companies-are-testing-brain-implants-why-is-there-so-much-attention-swirling-around-neuralink-two-professors-unpack-the-ethical-issues-222556 |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=The Conversation}} On February 20, Musk said that Neuralink's first human trial participant had been able to control a computer mouse by thought.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk claims Neuralink's first patient implanted with brain chip can already move computer mouse with their mind |url=https://fortune.com/2024/02/21/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-chip-implant-patient/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Fortune |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=2024-02-20 |title=First Neuralink human trial subject can control a computer mouse with brain implant, Elon Musk says {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/first-neuralink-human-subject-computer-mouse-elon-musk/index.html |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=CNN |language=en}}

On March 20, 2024, through a livestream on X, Neuralink introduced the person who had received the first Neuralink implant in the clinical trial, 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh. Arbaugh had become a quadriplegic after a diving accident dislocated his C4 and C5 spinal vertebrae. Noland demonstrated his ability to move a cursor on a computer screen to allow him to control music and play games such as chess. He expressed support for the implant in improving his quality of life.{{Cite web | date=2024-03-20 |title=Musk's Neuralink Shows Quadriplegic Patient Able to Play Online Chess With His Mind |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-20/musk-s-neuralink-gives-update-on-first-brain-implant-patient |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Bloomberg |language=en}} He acknowledged that the device was not perfect but said he was excited about the future.{{Cite magazine |last=Mullin|first=Emily |title=Watch Neuralink's First Human Subject Demonstrate His Brain-Computer Interface |url=https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-implant-first-human-patient-demonstration/ |date=2024-03-20 |access-date=2024-03-26 |magazine=Wired |issn=1059-1028}} In a subsequent interview, Arbaugh said that 85% of the device's implant threads had completely detached, as his brain had shifted approximately three times as much as Neuralink had expected.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Neuralink would proceed with a second trial participant.{{Cite web |last=Mole |first=Beth |date=2024-05-20 |title=Neuralink to implant 2nd human with brain chip as 85% of threads retract in 1st |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/neuralink-to-implant-2nd-human-with-brain-chip-as-75-of-threads-retract-in-1st/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}} The FDA had signed off on the company's proposed fixes for a problem that occurred with Arbaugh.{{Cite news |last=Winkler |first=Rolfe |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink Gets FDA Green Light for Second Patient, as First Describes His Emotional Journey |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/neuralink-gets-fda-green-light-for-second-patient-as-first-describes-his-emotional-journey-a2707584 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} In August 2024, a chip was reportedly successfully implanted in the second participant, pseudonym "Alex".{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink implants second patient with brain chip |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/neuralink-second-patient-elon-musk-b2591154.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Alex was reportedly able to create 3D designs by using the CAD software Fusion 360 and a custom mount for his Neuralink charger because of the implant.{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Beatrice |title=Neuralink's second patient is using his brain implant to design 3D objects. Here's how it works. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-neuralink-implanted-second-brain-chip-how-works-2024-8 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Additional accounts show that he has been able to play first-person shooter games at a higher level than previously.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-21 |title=Second Human to Receive Neuralink Brain Chip Uses It to Play Counter-Strike 2 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/second-human-to-receive-neuralink-brain-chip-uses-it-to-play-counter-strike |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=PCMAG |language=en}} Unlike Arbaugh's implantation procedure, Alex's reduced brain motion and placed the implant closer to the brain's surface in an attempt to mitigate thread retraction. Since the initial operation, Alex has reportedly not experienced any thread retraction. Alex said, "The Link is a big step on the path of regaining freedom and independence for myself."

In November 2024, Neuralink received approval from Health Canada for its first clinical trial in that country.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2024 |title=Neuralink on X |url=https://x.com/neuralink/status/1859321866944401727}} The trial, called CAN-PRIME,{{Cite web |last=Neuralink |date=2024-11-20 |title=CAN-PRIME Study Launch |url=https://neuralink.com/blog/can-prime-study-launch/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Neuralink Blog |language=en}} was to be led by Andres M. Lozano.{{Cite web |last=clinicaltrials|date=2024-11-21 |title=Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface for the Control of External Devices (CAN-PRIME)

|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06700304#contacts-and-locations |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Clinical Trials |language=en}}

Scientists have cited technical challenges for Neuralink. In 2017, a journalist at the IEEE Spectrum magazine asked for comments from five researchers who had worked on BCI implants, including Thomas Oxley. Oxley called the Neuralink developments "exciting" but expected no real results in the foreseeable future.{{Explain|reason=what were their comments? per citation, their feedback was based on when the implants required injecting them through the jugular vein, not the cranium, as it's done now. so are their comments still applicable?|date=March 2023}}{{cite web |title=Full Page Reload |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/5-neuroscience-experts-weigh-in-on-elon-musks-mysterious-neural-lace-company |access-date=26 October 2019 |work=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024406/https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/5-neuroscience-experts-weigh-in-on-elon-musks-mysterious-neural-lace-company |url-status=live }} At a live demonstration in August 2020, Musk described the device as "a Fitbit in your skull". Several neuroscientists and publications criticized these claims.{{cite news |last=Cellan-Jones|first=Rory|date=September 1, 2020|title=Is Elon Musk over-hyping his brain-hacking Neuralink tech?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53987919|work=BBC News|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912010226/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53987919|archive-date=September 12, 2020}}{{cite magazine|last=Rogers|first=Adam|date=September 4, 2020|title=Neuralink Is Impressive Tech, Wrapped in Musk Hype |url=https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-is-impressive-tech-wrapped-in-musk-hype/|magazine=Wired|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906074207/https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-is-impressive-tech-wrapped-in-musk-hype/|archive-date=September 6, 2020}} MIT Technology Review reported that the demonstration's main objective was to "stir excitement", adding, "Neuralink has provided no evidence that it can (or has even tried to) treat depression, insomnia, or a dozen other diseases that Musk mentioned in a slide".{{cite news |last=Regalado|first=Antonio|date=August 30, 2020|title=Elon Musk's Neuralink is neuroscience theater|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/30/1007786/elon-musks-neuralink-demo-update-neuroscience-theater/|work=MIT Technology Review|access-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118052441/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/30/1007786/elon-musks-neuralink-demo-update-neuroscience-theater|archive-date=January 18, 2022}} In response to Musk's description of Neuralink's advancements as "profound", Andrew Jackson, a professor of neural interfaces at Newcastle University, said, "I don't think there was anything revolutionary in the presentation."{{Cite news|date=2020-09-01|title=Is Elon Musk over-hyping his brain-hacking Neuralink tech?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53987919|access-date=2021-07-15|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912010226/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53987919|url-status=live}}

Thiago Arzua of the Medical College of Wisconsin argued that Neuralink's functions were not novel and that ideas for a brain–machine interface (BMI) were at least 50 years old. He cited the haptic feedback a man received while controlling a robotic prosthetic arm which he used in 2016 to give President Obama a fist bump.{{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=Billy |publisher=SAE Media Group |title=What a Feeling: A Look Back at a High-Tech Presidential Handshake |url=https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/stories/blog/45405 |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=Tech Briefs |date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313054626/https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/stories/blog/45405 |url-status=live}} Arzua said that the 2020 Neuralink presentation "showed little more than a flashy new design for a BMI with more electrodes".{{Cite web|last=Arzua|first=Thiago|date=2020-08-29|title=Despite a flashy design, Elon Musk's Neuralink has little substance |url=https://massivesci.com/notes/neuralink-brain-machine-interface-fda-breakthrough-device/|access-date=2022-02-13 |archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118050609/https://massivesci.com/notes/neuralink-brain-machine-interface-fda-breakthrough-device/|url-status=live|website=Massive Science}} Duke University researcher Miguel Nicolelis made similar criticisms, saying that most of what Neuralink claims as "novelty" had already been performed by his lab in the early 2000s; that there are ethical concerns about how the company markets and uses this technology; and that most patients don't want to undergo surgery to recover their movements.{{Cite web |last=Yarlagadda |first=Tara |date=2024-02-20 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink is "bad science fiction," brain science pioneer says |url=https://www.inverse.com/science/neuralink-bad-sci-fi |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Inverse |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Redação |date=2024-03-14 |title="Criei há 25 anos o que Musk fez agora", diz Miguel Nicolelis |url=https://forbes.com.br/forbes-tech/2024/03/criei-ha-25-anos-o-que-musk-fez-agora-diz-miguel-nicolelis/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Forbes Brasil |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=2014-10-08 |title=The story of an impossible kick: Miguel Nicolelis at TEDGlobal 2014 {{!}} TED Blog |url=https://blog.ted.com/the-story-of-an-impossible-kick-miguel-nicolelis-live-at-tedglobal-2014/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Séneca |first1=Hugo |last2=Delfim |first2=Tómas |date=2024-04-16 |title="A Neuralink de Elon Musk é quase uma piada de mau gosto", diz pioneiro dos implantes cerebrais Miguel Nicolelis |url=https://expresso.pt/podcasts/o-futuro-do-futuro/2024-04-16-a-neuralink-de-elon-musk-e-quase-uma-piada-de-mau-gosto-diz-pioneiro-dos-implantes-cerebrais-miguel-nicolelis-65d177b9 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Expresso |language=pt}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|* Brain–computer interface

• Brain implant
• Cortical implant
• Electrocorticography
• Experience machine
• Extended reality
• Virtual reality
• Mixed reality
• Augmented reality
• Kernel (neurotechnology company)
• Mind uploading
• Motor function
• Neurorobotics
• Paradromics
• Precision Neuroscience
• Spatial computing
• Surface chemistry of neural implants
• Stentrode
• The Entire History of You
• White Christmas (Black Mirror)
• Wirehead (science fiction)
• Transhumanism

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite bioRxiv|last1=Neuralink|last2=Musk|first2=Elon|date=2019-08-02|title=An integrated brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels |biorxiv=10.1101/703801}} (whitepaper)

• {{Official website}}
• {{youTube|r-vbh3t7WVI}} of Neuralink's presentation on July 16, 2019
• {{youTube|YreDYmXTYi4}} of Neuralink's presentation on December 1, 2022
• Andrew Huberman: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZGItIAUQmI "Dr. Matthew MacDougall: Neuralink & Technologies to Enhance Human Brains"] (interview with Neuralink's head neurosurgeon, April 2023)

{{BCI}}

{{Elon Musk}}

{{Authority control}}

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