Brain chip start-up Neurolink has implanted its first chip into a human brain for its first human trial.
Co-founder of Neurolink, Elon Musk, announced the news on X: 'The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
'Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.'
The tech billionaire proposes that the Neurolink device 'will enable someone with paralysis to use a smartphone with their mind faster than someone using their thumbs' and allow 'paraplegics to walk again.'
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He's optimistic that one day it could eventually treat blindness, schizophrenia, depression, autism, obesity, and insomnia with the ultimate goal of merging 'human consciousness with AI.'
However, what does the medical field think of the innovative technology?
Neurologist, Dr. Leah Croll spoke with ABC News to share her thoughts and expertise on the potential medical breakthrough.
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She stated: 'My reaction is one of hope and excitement, as we’re talking about having a medical miracle potentially within our grasp in the next few years.'
Dr. Croll explained that the implanted chip reads constant electrical signals between brain cells and ultimately translates them into actions outside the body.
'In the case of Neuralink, those signals are being translated into the ability to control a computer or a phone,' she continued.
However, the device is not without challenges as the medical expert goes on to describe the potential implications of the device.
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Dr. Croll highlighted the risks associated with the implantation surgery itself, explaining that surgery of any size carries risks.
Questions were also raised about the device's functionality and the potential for misfired signals leading to wrong actions being performed - possibly putting the patient in 'jeopardy.'
Additionally, with the brain device's link to electrical systems like computers and phones, it could be vulnerable to hackers.
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Despite this, Dr. Croll is hopeful of the potential within Neurolink. She concluded: 'The idea that we would be able to give neurological function back is so groundbreaking and so meaningful.'
'It’s hard to imagine anything more beneficial for those patients.'
In terms of primary candidates, Dr. Croll said: 'Right now Neuralink is focusing on people who are paralysed that could be from a brain injury, a stroke, or a spinal cord injury.'
But, there are a 'lot of different avenues' that the device can take.
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According to the neurologist, it will be quite a few years before we see a device like this brought to the masses as the initial Neurolink trial is set to go on for at least six years.
However, Dr. Croll is hopeful she'll see it in her lifetime as a physician.