Elon Musk applauds approval to test Neuralink brain implants on humans – AI Tech News

Elon Musk applauded the FDA’s approval for brain implant company Neuralink to start testing the technology on humans, but some weren’t keen on being part of the clinical study, calling it of “too intrusive”.

“We are thrilled to share that we have received FDA approval to initiate our first-in-man clinical study! » Neuralink tweeted THURSDAY.

“This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team working closely with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people,” the post reads.

“Congratulations to the Neuralink team!” Musk said in response.

Neuralink – based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Austin, Texas – first announced it would host human clinical trials in December, after sharing that it was developing chip interfaces that could give paralyzed patients and other neurologically handicapped people the ability to move and communicate again.

The technology, which Musk says could also restore someone’s vision, has been tested on animals in recent years as it seeks FDA approval to begin human trials.

“Recruitment is not yet open for our clinical trial. We will announce more information about this soon,” the company said.

Many on Musk-owned Twitter said they were in no rush to be used as guinea pigs.

“I’m not really trying to implant a chip in my brain, too intrusive for my taste”, one user tweeted.

“Bro just made an AI detachable earpiece,” another said.

Another called for legislation to regulate Neuralink.

“If it were only to be used to help people with disabilities, that would be great. Unfortunately, we know that is not the case. There needs to be legislation in place to protect people when the use of this technology spirals out of control,” user tweeted.

Again another called him “a great turning point in human history or one of the worst creations in history.”

The FDA confirmed to the Post on Friday that it “understands that Neuralink has announced that its Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for its R1 implant/robot has been approved by the FDA and can now begin conducting human clinical trials. for its device.

The federal agency did not comment further on the technology.

Musk, 51, has repeatedly predicted the brain chip would gain FDA approval since he announced in 2019 that Neuralink had successfully implanted his chip in a monkey.

However, the federal agency rejected the company’s application for approval in early 2022 over security concerns.

At the end of the year, he told an audience during a question-and-answer session at a Neuralink event that he would implant the chip in the brain of one of his own children if need be. felt it.

“If you ask a question like, do I think would I be comfortable implanting this in one of my kids or something at this point, if they’re in a serious condition… like let’s say if they broke their neck, would I be comfortable doing it? I would,” Musk said at the December event.

“We’re at the point where, at least in my opinion, it wouldn’t be dangerous,” Musk added.