Neuralink Expands Human Trials to 12 Patients, Including International Sites, with Focus on Speech and Mobility Restoration

Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-computer interface (BCI) company, has significantly advanced its human trials, now having implanted its device in at least 12 individuals across multiple countries. This expansion includes recent procedures in Canada, marking the company's first international clinical trials outside the United States. The progress was highlighted in a video promoted by journalist Ashlee Vance, detailing Neuralink's rigorous preparation and the life-changing impact on participants.

The company's PRIME Study aims to enable individuals with quadriplegia to control digital devices using only their thoughts. Patients like Noland Arbaugh, the first human recipient, have demonstrated the ability to play video games and navigate computers, significantly enhancing their independence. Brad Smith, the first ALS patient to receive the implant, has successfully edited and narrated a YouTube video using his brain signals, showcasing the technology's potential for communication restoration.

Neuralink has continuously refined its technology, with recent implants featuring more electrodes, higher bandwidth, and extended battery life. Beyond mobility, the company plans to launch a trial in October 2025 to assist individuals with speech impairments by translating thoughts directly into text. This initiative, which received Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to allow users to "go directly from brain to voice without any keyboards in between," according to Neuralink's president, Dongjin “D.J.” Seo.

Ashlee Vance, a prominent journalist and biographer of Elon Musk, recently shared a video from his "Core Memory" series highlighting Neuralink's innovative approach to surgical preparation. The video details the company's creation of highly realistic "fake brains" or proxies, which allow surgical teams to practice procedures extensively before human or animal trials. This meticulous process underscores Neuralink's commitment to safety and precision in its complex neurosurgical interventions.

Looking ahead, Neuralink's aspirations extend to restoring vision, addressing psychiatric conditions, and enhancing memory, as indicated by recent job postings for a "hippocampus team." While the company faces ongoing scrutiny regarding ethical considerations and the ambitious timelines set by Musk, the tangible progress in human trials demonstrates a significant stride toward its long-term goals of merging human and artificial intelligence. The expansion of trials to Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates signifies a global push to make this transformative technology accessible to more people.