Neuralink develops brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that enable direct communication between the brain and external devices. Founded by Elon Musk, the company aims to interpret brain signals and translate them into actions or commands. This technology seeks to connect human thought with digital systems, potentially offering new possibilities for interaction and assistance. The long-term goal is a comprehensive platform for interfacing with the human brain.
Recent Milestones and Updates
Neuralink received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in May 2023 for its first-in-human clinical study. This clearance, following seven years of research, allowed the company to begin human trials. Neuralink started recruiting participants for its PRIME Study in September 2023. The PRIME trial evaluates the safety of the implant and surgical robot, and the BCI’s ability to help individuals with quadriplegia control external devices using their thoughts.
The first human implantation of the N1 chip occurred in January 2024 as part of the PRIME Study, performed at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Participant Noland Arbaugh detected neural signals shortly after surgery and has since used the system to play online chess and other computer games. Although some threads shifted, affecting the signal, Neuralink resolved the issue. As of late July 2025, Neuralink had implanted nine people with its N1 chip, with seven participants in the PRIME study.
Another patient, Alex, received his implant in mid-2024 and uses it for gaming and 3D model design. Neuralink is also expanding trials internationally, with Canada launching the CAN-PRIME trial in November 2024 and Great Britain initiating GB-PRIME in July 2025. The company aims for 20 implants by the end of 2025, with plans for hundreds more in the near future.
Understanding Neuralink’s Technology
Neuralink’s technology uses a brain-computer interface (BCI) to record neural activity directly from the brain. The N1 Implant, an intracortical BCI, features 1,024 electrodes. These electrodes are distributed across 64 flexible leads, called “threads,” which are thinner than a human hair. The threads’ thin and flexible nature helps reduce risk to the participant and enhance the device’s utility.
Because the threads are delicate, they are impractical to manipulate by hand during implantation. Neuralink developed the R1 Robot, a specialized surgical robot, to precisely insert the threads into the brain’s motor cortex. After placement, the coin-sized N1 Implant is positioned in an opening in the skull, creating a wireless link between the brain and external computers. This system translates neural signals into digital commands, allowing thoughts to control devices.
Primary Medical Applications
Neuralink’s technology primarily aims to restore functions for individuals with severe neurological conditions. An initial focus is providing digital autonomy to people with quadriplegia, caused by conditions like spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The BCI system, called “Telepathy,” allows these individuals to control computer cursors or keyboards using only their thoughts. This enables communication and interaction with digital devices without physical movement.
A PRIME study participant demonstrated this by navigating a computer and playing games. For example, a woman paralyzed for two decades used the Neuralink chip to write her name again with her thoughts. Neuralink also has ambitious plans for other applications, including “Blindsight,” a project aimed at restoring sight. This initiative creates visual experiences directly in the brain using a camera-based system, benefiting those who are blind, even from birth. Blindsight has received FDA Breakthrough status, with trials expected to begin in early 2026.
Ethical Debates and Safety Outlook
The development of advanced brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink’s raises significant ethical and safety concerns. A primary concern is data privacy: how sensitive neural data from the implant will be stored, secured, and used. Misuse of this information is a subject of debate. Ensuring equitable access is another challenge, as advanced medical interventions often come with high costs, creating a divide in who can benefit.
Long-term biological safety of implanted devices is also a major focus. The brain’s internal environment is challenging, with salty, shifting conditions that can degrade electrodes over time. Animal trials conducted by Neuralink have also faced controversy. Reports from 2021 and 2022 detailed complications in some animal subjects, including brain swelling and infections in macaques, leading to U.S. Department of Agriculture investigations. While Neuralink states its commitment to animal welfare, these incidents have raised questions about the company’s practices and research ethics.