In the U.S., Synchron, backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, is also advancing BCI technology, having trialed its technology on ten patients. Neuralink's approach involves invasive implants inside the brain to maximize signal strength, differing from the semi-invasive methods used by competitors. Despite being behind, Neuralink's unique approach and Musk's ambition to create cybernetic enhancements for everyday people could still position the company as a leader in the field. However, challenges remain, including long-term compatibility and post-operative immune reactions for invasive versions, while semi-invasive versions face issues with weaker brain signals.
Key takeaways:
- Elon Musk's Neuralink is facing competition from Chinese and American companies in the brain-computer interface (BCI) market.
- China's leading BCI project, Beinao No.1, has already demonstrated success with semi-invasive chips in patients, while Neuralink uses a more invasive approach.
- Neuralink's technology has enabled a quadriplegic patient to use a computer independently, showcasing its potential despite being behind competitors.
- There are concerns about the long-term safety and ethical implications of invasive BCI technology, as well as potential misuse of data, especially in authoritarian regimes like China.