Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Al Jazeera
Context: Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016, has implanted its wireless brain chip in a human for the first time.
The device, called Telepathy, involves a coin-sized chip surgically implanted in the skull with ultra-thin wires connecting to the brain, creating a brain-computer interface.
Functioning:
- The initial application allows users to control phones or computers through thought.
- Broader applications, such as restoring motor functionality to those with neurological disorders.
- The human testing phase aims to collect safety and effectiveness data and improve the device.
Ethical concerns include risks associated with brain surgery, privacy issues, and potential surveillance concerns. Neuralink has previously tested the chip on monkeys and pigs.
