Noland Arbaugh, a paralyzed man from Arizona, became the first person to receive Neuralink’s ‘mind-reading chip’ in January 2024. Paralyzed from the shoulders down since a 2016 diving accident, he once feared losing his independence entirely. “You just have no control, no privacy, and it’s hard,” he said.

The Neuralink chip, developed by Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, allows Noland to control a computer using only his thoughts. The chip detects brain activity and translates it into digital commands. Immediately after surgery, he was able to move a cursor just by thinking about it. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect – it sounds so sci-fi,” he admitted.

With practice, Noland has refined his control, even playing video games and beating friends. “Which really shouldn’t be possible but it is,” he said. While not the first brain-computer interface, Neuralink’s technology has propelled the field forward.

Despite its promise, concerns remain. Neuroscientist Anil Seth warns that “once you’ve got access to stuff inside your head, there really is no other barrier to personal privacy left.” Noland also experienced setbacks when the device briefly lost connection. However, he remains hopeful, envisioning future advancements like controlling his wheelchair or even a robot.