All about Neuralink

All about Neuralink

                                                                                                                   image source: adobe stock

Neuralink a neurotechnology company that develops implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) was founded in 2016 but was officially reported on March 2017. Elon Musk, Max Hodak, and Paul Merolla are the founders and Jared Birchall is the CEO of the company. Its headquarters is in San Francisco sharing offices with OpenAI.

After its foundation, the company hires several high-profile neuroscientists from different Universities. By July 2019 the company received $158M in funding. In addition to showcasing a system that read data from a lab rat using 1,500 electrodes at the time, Neuralink revealed that it was developing a device that would function like a "sewing machine" and be capable of embedding very tiny threads (between 4 and 6 m in width) into the brain. They originally planned to begin conducting human experimentation in 2020, but they have recently revised their timeline to 2022. 

Neuralink surgically inserts its prototype devices into the brains of living pigs, monkeys, and other animals to test them. Groups like PETA have questioned Neuralink's techniques.

 

Neuralink worked with UC Davis to conduct its tests on monkeys from 2017 to 2020. Seven monkeys were moved from UC Davis to Neuralink at the conclusion of their collaboration. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) claimed in 2022 that Neuralink and UC Davis had abused a number of monkeys, causing them severe discomfort, excruciating pain, and persistent infections as a result of surgical procedures. The PCRM estimates that 15 of the at least 23 monkeys used in Neuralink and UC Davis' trials perished or were put down as a result of the research. The PCRM also claimed that UC Davis concealed photographic and video proof of the abuse. 

Neuralink stated in February 2022 that monkeys died during testing, but that no animal mistreatment happened.

Musk originally indicated that Neuralink implants will be implanted through the jugular vein rather than through the skull (which Neuralink currently requires).

Musk in the recent Meeting announces that the test to implant brain chips will be started soon in 2023 in human being one of the chips himself.