'Three little pigs': Musk's Neuralink puts computer chips in animal brains

By Tina Bellon

 

FILE PHOTO: Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk is seen on a screen during a video message at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 9, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's neuroscience startup Neuralink on Friday unveiled a pig named Gertrude that has had a coin-sized computer chip in its brain for two months, showing off an early step toward the goal of curing human diseases with the same type of implant.

 

Co-founded by Tesla Inc and SpaceX CEO Musk in 2016, San Francisco Bay Area-based Neuralink aims to implant wireless brain-computer interfaces that include thousands of electrodes in the most complex human organ to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries and ultimately fuse humankind with artificial intelligence.

 

"An implantable device can actually solve these problems," Musk said on a webcast Friday, mentioning ailments such as memory loss, hearing loss, depression and insomnia.

 

Musk did not provide a timeline for those treatments, appearing to retreat from earlier statements that human trials would begin by the end of this year. Neuralink's first clinical trials with a small number of human patients would be aimed at treating paralysis or paraplegia, the company's head surgeon Dr. Matthew MacDougall said.

 

Neuroscientists unaffiliated with the company said the presentation indicated that Neuralink had made great strides but cautioned that longer studies were needed.

 

Musk presented what he described as the "three little pigs demo." Gertrude, the pig with a Neuralink implant in the part of its brain that controls the snout, required some coaxing by Musk to appear on camera, but eventually began eating off of a stool and sniffing straw, triggering spikes on a graph tracking the animal's neural activity.

 

Musk said the company had three pigs with two implants each, and also revealed a pig that previously had an implant.

They were "healthy, happy and indistinguishable from a normal pig," Musk said. Musk said the company predicted a pig's limb movement during a treadmill run at "high accuracy" using implant data.

 

Musk described Neuralink's chip, which is roughly 23 millimeters (0.9 inch) in diameter, as "a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires."

 

"I could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn't know," Musk said. "... Maybe I do."

 

One comment from a webcast viewer described the animals as "Cypork."

 

Graeme Moffat, a University of Toronto neuroscience research fellow, said Neuralink's advancements were "order of magnitude leaps" beyond current science thanks to the novel chip's size, portability, power management and wireless capabilities.

 

Stanford University neuroscientist Sergey Stavisky said the company had made substantial and impressive progress since an initial demonstration of an earlier chip in July 2019.

 

"Going from that to the fully implanted system in several pigs they showed is impressive and, I think, really highlights the strengths of having a large multidisciplinary team focused on this problem," Stavisky said.

 

Some researchers said longer studies would be required to determine the longevity of the device.

 

Neuralink's chip could also improve the understanding of neurological diseases by reading brain waves, one of the company's scientists said during the presentation.

 

RECRUITING, NOT FUNDRAISING

 

Musk said the focus of Friday's event was recruiting, not fundraising. Musk has a history of bringing together diverse experts to drastically accelerate the development of innovations previously limited to academic labs, including rocket, hyperloop and electrical vehicle technologies through companies such as Tesla and SpaceX.

 

Neuralink has received $158 million in funding, $100 million of which came from Musk, and employs about 100 people.

 

Musk, who frequently warns about the risks of artificial intelligence, said the implant's most important achievement beyond medical applications would be "some kind of AI symbiosis where you have an AI extension of yourself."

 

Small devices that electronically stimulate nerves and brain areas to treat hearing loss and Parkinson's disease have been implanted in humans for decades. Brain implant trials have also been conducted with a small number of people who have lost control of bodily functions due to spiral cord injuries or neurological conditions like strokes.

 

Startups such as Kernel, Paradromics and NeuroPace also are trying to exploit advancements in material, wireless and signaling technology to create devices similar to Neuralink. In addition, medical device giant Medtronic PLC produces brain implants to treat Parkinson's disease, essential tremors and epilepsy.

 

(Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Additional reporting by Paresh Dave in Oakland, Calif.; Editing by Joe White, Dan Grebler and Will Dunham)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-08-30

 

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For some reason, such as his reaction to Vern's insult, this technology in the hands of Musk seems kind of scary. 

So, Now the old phrase...become real 

 

 

I am wondering how or even if ethics approval was sought or received for this type of research. 

 

I can see major benefits for it if it is successful, but I see more sinister overtones to its use.

Makes me pleased I am aged.

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Co-founded by Tesla Inc and SpaceX CEO Musk in 2016, San Francisco Bay Area-based Neuralink aims to implant wireless brain-computer interfaces that include thousands of electrodes in the most complex human organ to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries and ultimately fuse humankind with artificial intelligence.

This story provokes a wide variety of reactions.

 

In no particular order...

 

As a tool to provide assistance and aid to Alzheimer patients, Dementia sufferers and the like it has tremendous possibilities; if it could help regulate the brain to deal with disease, it might allow for an extra 10-20 years of positive mental health and acuity. My mother has Dementia, and anything that could help would be welcomed. Greatly welcomed. Greatly, greatly welcomed.

 

The use of implants would be the logical outcome of the last 70 years of computing technology and the marriage of computers into our daily lives. Perhaps it might not be as relevant to TVF members due to age, but how many young people can still function without their phones/IPads/tablets? My own life would simply not be possible anymore without my computer and Tablet. Wouldn't it be great if you didn't need to carry around all that stuff anymore? Just 'click' on a mental switch?

 

The most frightening word in this story to me is "Wireless'. Computer security and network security is not 100% now. Would you be okay with a wireless chip in your head that theoretically could be accessed/hacked by a stranger? it is a terrifying thought.

 

What are the possibilities of an even greater inter-connected world? Human speech and language is an imperfect means of communication at the best of times, what would our lives be like if we could enhance our communication with others more effectively? My initial reaction is that it would be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the connected power of human thought might provide limitless intelligence, but on the other hand the loonies would connect to each other. And, imagine if through the chip we all spoke the same language?

 

The safety of the equipment. In order for this to work, I suspect that there would need to be a certain amount of integration to the brain. How easy would it be to replace a malfunctioning unit?

 

Ethics. Mankind's current scientific discoveries seem to me to be outstripping our ability to integrate ethics into each and every new discovery, and implanting a chip into our brains would require a great, great, great deal of thought and preparation. Would we do it? Or would we just accept it and deal with the consequences later? I suspect the latter...

 

Would the rich world have a monopoly on this technology, should it prove to be effective? If not (and I say 'NOT'), how would it be shared?

 

Finally, what voices would be against this? I am in awe of Humanity's ability to push scientific and technological horizons further and further, but I am also terrified that often we do not think things through enough. Who would be the force against this? Who would question everything to force scientists to explain? Who would be the equivalent of the 'Right to Lifers"? Strong powerful voices would be needed to monitor this technology; who would those voices be? And, would they be heard?

 

Humanity's intelligence and technological advances are accelerating at an ever increasing tempo (we only managed flight a hundred years ago!); do we have the wisdom to deal with it all?

 

Questions, questions, and more questions. but, interesting as hell.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, pegman said:

For some reason, such as his reaction to Vern's insult, this technology in the hands of Musk seems kind of scary. 

Musk is on a whole different level, Vern is no genius. Elon Musk is a national treasure.

18 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Musk is on a whole different level, Vern is no genius. Elon Musk is a national treasure.hes

19 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Musk is on a whole different level, Vern is no genius. Elon Musk is a national treasure.

Complete muppet !

Undeniably there is great appeal to the concept of this technology providing a remedy for neurological dysfunctions of any form.

At the same moment there is as great cause for concern about the potential applications of it in maleficence.

A I is rapidly becoming a reality  that will inevitably be abused.

 

16 minutes ago, KC 71 said:

 

It is  not difficult to  understand that Musk provokes polarized  opinion of himself but it can not be denied  that he has an ability to make concepts become a reality.

 

9 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Undeniably there is great appeal to the concept of this technology providing a remedy for neurological dysfunctions of any form.

At the same moment there is as great cause for concern about the potential applications of it in maleficence.

A I is rapidly becoming a reality  that will inevitably be abused.

 

We should invite China to join a global oversight committee .

"An implantable device can actually solve these problems," Musk said on a webcast Friday, mentioning ailments such as memory loss, hearing loss, depression and insomnia.

 

LOL.  So many people seem to view the living organism which is our body as nothing more than a mechanical object which can be "fixed" when problems arise using technology.  We have developed into a technologically advanced species while at the same time we are spiritual Neanderthals who understand so little of who and what we are and what life is.

 

Doubt me if you will but technology will never be the panacea to the ills that living organisms experience.  The reasons are too broad and indepth for a discussion here.  But mark my words, attempting to short circuit quite natural and important human experience would have quite negative unintended consequences.

 

Again, while we have become technologically advanced we are almost wholly bereft of any true understanding of life's terms, let alone of life's purpose.  So clueless that there are many who would argue, foolishly and erroneously in my opinion, that life holds no purpose.

 

3 hours ago, Tarteso said:

So, Now the old phrase...become real 

 

 

Not necessarily, but with the implant they might believe they can fly!

1) I thought he was against AI

 

and 

 

2) so what you eat / drink / smoke / inject is not important anymore how your body reacts ?

 

alzheimer is mostly caused by ... STATINS that deplete your cholesterol !!!!!!!!!

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=alzheimer+is+mostly+caused+by+...+STATINS+that+deplete+your+cholesterol

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"I could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn't know," Musk said. "... Maybe I do."

That would explain a lot.

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

They were "healthy, happy and indistinguishable from a normal pig," Musk said.

Healthy and indistinguishable I believe, but how do you know the pig is happy and not bored?

3 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

That would explain a lot.

lol. I think that  was a  typical baiting  comment from Musk. But I could  certainly be convinced  Zuckerburg is a  volunteer !

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

We should invite China to join a global oversight committee .

Perhaps  yes. Not that yet another International Committee would do anything other than to monitor the efficiency of  impact. I would not trust any one nation further than any other  with  AI !

The Chinese  invented  gun powder and look what the rest of the world did  with  that ! lol

 

3 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Musk is on a whole different level, Vern is no genius. Elon Musk is a national treasure.

To respond - the second and 19th letters of the alphabet.

very interesting and has great possibilities to help mankind in the right hands BUT......china or the BBC god help us.

5 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

I am wondering how or even if ethics approval was sought or received for this type of research. 

 

I can see major benefits for it if it is successful, but I see more sinister overtones to its use.

Makes me pleased I am aged.

 

Just like when a hammer was invented .. you can use it for driving in a nail to build a house ... Or smash in the brain of some poor guy you may have an argument with ...

 

Anything for good .. can also be used for bad ....  And we humans are certainly very good at finding 'dual use' for most great inventions.... ????

 

1 hour ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

1) I thought he was against AI

The idea is that we cannot win vs the AI,

 

so, if you can't beat them, join them.

2 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

Doubt me if you will but technology will never be the panacea to the ills that living organisms experience. 

Statement seems to discount all the progress in medicine.

 

Without the technological breakthroughs of that last centuries, most of us on TV would be dead.

 

21 minutes ago, rvaviator said:

Just like when a hammer was invented .. you can use it for driving in a nail to build a house ... Or smash in the brain of some poor guy you may have an argument with ...

 

Anything for good .. can also be used for bad ....  And we humans are certainly very good at finding 'dual use' for most great inventions.... ????

 

Agreed.  As I said earlier . . . technologically advanced with no other understanding that might guide us in the proper use of that technology.

I need an implant to speak Thai...

4 minutes ago, Mahks said:

  

3 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

<snip>

Doubt me if you will but technology will never be the panacea to the ills that living organisms experience.

<snip>

Statement seems to discount all the progress in medicine.

 

Without the technological breakthroughs of that last centuries, most of us on TV would be dead.

 

Not at all.  I can understand that the statement seems contradictory.  Medical progress is to be commended and I am certainly grateful for it.  My point is that illness serves a purpose that is not at all understood.  Given that lack of understanding then it's understandable that the idea that it can be short circuited would be considered by some as a valid one.  Based on what I know I would disagree.

 

The truth is that no one seems to know why someone becomes ill in the first place.  Sure, we can at times trace the physical route.  But the actual trigger is not perceived or known.  Our bodies are home to a variety of viruses, some which can turn deadly but for the large part remain dormant.  What would trigger them to become active?  Again, no one seems to know.  So instead of gaining an understanding as to the purpose of illness and what triggers illnesses then perhaps if we simply short circuit the entire process . . . 

 

I would dispute your last statement even as I understand why you make it.  Life and life's possibilities are not dependent on technology.

6 hours ago, pegman said:

For some reason, such as his reaction to Vern's insult, this technology in the hands of Musk seems kind of scary. 

Better in the hands of Elon Musk than in the hands of someone like George Soros or the Rothschilds or some others. 
    Technological advances are always scary. People were terrified at first about electricity and flight and airplanes with no propellers..(jets) and computers. 

4 minutes ago, Catoni said:

Better in the hands of Elon Musk than in the hands of someone like George Soros or the Rothschilds or some others. 
    Technological advances are always scary. People were terrified at first about electricity and flight and airplanes with no propellers..(jets) and computers. 

I think I'll take my newly purchased laptop back to the shop, because the propeller is missing!!

 

I would not mind a micro chipped girl friend, but then please also give me the remote control for her.

"I could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn't know," Musk said. "... Maybe I do."

 

You'd never know, whatever this man says. 

In some ways, amazing, others, frightening,

but why do we not have the intelligence to beat a virus