What it is: Neuralink is a company started by Elon Musk that makes brain chips. The chip is placed in the brain so a person can control computers with their thoughts.
Who it’s for: Anyone curious about brain chips
Best if: You’ve seen the news and want the plain version
Skip if: You already follow BCI research
Neuralink started in 2016. Its goal is to help people with bad injuries — like being paralyzed — use computers or phones with their thoughts alone.
How the chip works
- A tiny chip (smaller than a coin) is placed in the skull.
- Threads thinner than a hair go into the brain.
- The threads read brain signals when the person thinks.
- The chip sends those signals to a computer over Bluetooth.
- The computer turns the signals into cursor moves, clicks, or typing.
What’s happened so far
The first human got a Neuralink chip in January 2024. His name is Noland Arbaugh. He is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Since the surgery, he has played chess, video games, and browsed the web using only his thoughts.
Is it safe?
Brain surgery always has risks. The FDA watches closely. So far only a few people have received the chip. Many more need it before we know how safe it really is.
Neuralink is one type of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). Other companies like Synchron and Blackrock also make BCIs.
Get Smarter About AI Every Morning
Free daily newsletter — one story, one tool, one tip. Plain English, no jargon.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.