Neuralink Begins Recruiting for Human Trials, Thousands Express Interest in Brain Implant Procedures

Eligible candidates for the trials must be 18 years or older with conditions like quadriplegia, paraplegia, visual or hearing impairment. The trial is anticipated to last six years with surgically implanted devices aimed to facilitate a mind-body connection, potentially enabling patients to control devices or communicate using brain activity alone.

Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain chip startup, is recruiting for its first human trials. The criteria are specific: candidates must be 18 years or older, suffering from conditions such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, hearing or visual impairment. The trial is anticipated to last for six years.
The application process involves initial screening questions, a consent form for sharing medical records, a 45 to 60 minute questionnaire, and possibly, further contact from Neuralink or an associated third party for selected applicants.
The trial will involve surgically replacing a part of the patient's skull with the Neuralink device, which will record and analyze the patient's brain activity. This information could potentially enable patients with severe neurological disorders to control devices and communicate using only their brain activity.
The Neuralink device has been likened to a 'Fitbit in your skull' by Musk, with grand ambitions for the device to eventually enable telepathic communication and manipulation of digital devices. Initial focus, however, is on medical uses such as helping paralyzed individuals communicate.
While Neuralink is receiving wide interest from thousands of individuals, ethical concerns and potential implications on personality as well as dependency issues tied to BCIs (Brain-Computer Interfaces) have been highlighted. Some reported effects from BCI use include altered senses of self, decision-making paralysis, and potential privacy concerns.