In 2024, Neuralink successfully implanted its first chips into patients, with Elon Musk predicting that within the next 20 years, “hundreds of millions” of people would have Neuralink chips. He said that in just a few years, there could be thousands of people, and within 10 years, millions could use the technology.

In January 2024, Neurosurgeons implanted a Neuralink chip into Noland Arbaugh, a man paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a car accident. The chip, about the size of a coin, had 64 threads thinner than a human hair. During a live-streamed demonstration, Arbaugh played chess and other games without moving a muscle. He described it as feeling like using “Force powers” from Star Wars. However, his performance declined after a month, but with algorithm changes, his abilities were restored.

A month later, Neuralink reported that the second patient, known as Alex, was using the chip to design 3D objects and play video games using CAD software. Neuralink updated its techniques to prevent the chip from moving within the brain during surgery, helping improve the implant’s functionality.

Musk’s goal is to push brain data speeds, aiming for a link between humans and computers that can dramatically outperform human abilities. Musk believes within two years, Neuralink users could outperform professional gamers. He sees humans’ slow output rates as a barrier to effective computer interaction, and he plans to speed up brain data signals by three to six times or more.

The future of Neuralink involves further improvements to enhance autonomy for people with paralysis, allowing them to interact with digital devices and re-engage in activities they care about. Musk and his team are working to expand the technology’s impact, hoping to create a world where many people can benefit from this high-tech tool.