Upon waking from the surgery that would transform his existence, Noland Arbaugh had an astonishing realization: he could control the cursor on a screen without moving a single muscle, all thanks to the Neuralink invention created by Elon Musk. He achieved this simply by thinking. That small action—conceptualizing the movement of a finger that no longer responded—unlocked a new realm in human technology. At the age of 30, after eight arduous years of total paralysis from the neck down, Arbaugh became the first individual to receive a chip from Neuralink, Musk’s neurotechnology venture.
Although not the first of its kind—other companies like Synchron have developed similar technologies—Musk’s role in Neuralink has garnered remarkable attention to this endeavor. Still, Noland emphasizes that it isn’t the fame of tech moguls or their captivating appearances that matters. What truly counts, he insists, is the power of science to effect meaningful change in lives.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink invention has transformed the life of the first US patient
This implanted chip results from decades of research in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), grounded in reality rather than fantasy. It captures the faint electrical signals generated by motor thoughts and translates them into digital commands. The Neuralink implant comprises a chip approximately 23 mm in diameter and 8 mm thick, featuring 1,024 electrodes aligned on ultra-thin, flexible wires. A specialized surgical robot, capable of implanting up to six wires per minute with millimeter accuracy, places these wires into targeted brain areas.
Once the electrodes are in place, the chip decodes the electrical signals from the neurons and transmits them wirelessly to external devices, allowing the user to navigate digital interfaces through thought alone. Additionally, Noland has resumed activities like writing, browsing the internet, and—perhaps most significantly—playing video games and chess with friends, all of which he had to forgo after his 2016 diving incident. He expressed feeling stripped of his independence and privacy. According to information from the BBC, the ability to control a computer using thought serves not as a fanciful novelty but as a means to reclaim autonomy, dignity, and a voice.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There was a malfunction where Noland couldn’t operate his computer due to the chip partially detaching from his brain, causing him significant unanticipated distress. Fortunately, the engineering team implemented software adjustments that restored and even improved the connection. In an era where thoughts can be transformed into data, Neuralink and similar companies pose critical questions about privacy and ethical boundaries. Anil Seth, a neuroscientist at the University of Sussex, warns that allowing technology to dictate our brain activity may lead us to relinquish not just control but also our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
The future of Neuralink and other companies aiming to enhance lives
The potential is immense. Other firms have introduced less invasive devices that reach the brain via veins in the neck, like Synchron. Remarkably, one user has been able to combine the implant with Apple’s Vision Pro glasses to navigate virtual environments, mentally exploring waterfalls and mountains that were otherwise inaccessible to him. Yet, Noland faces a timeline: six years of Neuralink research. Beyond that, his technological future remains uncertain. Will the chip be removed? Will an upgraded version be fitted? Many questions linger, yet he remains undeterred. Despite the challenges and uncertainties encountered along the way, he is committed to being a part of this narrative.
