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18 months after "Mechanical Transcendence", the first person with Elon Musk's brain-computer implant made a significant statement: I've been reborn.

新智元2025-08-25 11:32
The first subject of Neuralink regained a new life 18 months after having the chip implanted.

Eighteen months after having a chip inserted into his brain, how is the world's first Neuralink subject doing now? In a recent interview, Noland Arbaugh said he felt like he had been reborn. Now, he can not only play games and control household appliances with his thoughts, but also find meaning in life by going back to college, starting a business, and giving public speeches.

Noland Arbaugh is the first subject to receive a brain-computer chip implant from Neuralink.

He recently gave an exclusive interview to Fortune magazine, delving into the mysterious and sci-fi-like backstory of Neuralink.

As a deep participant in cutting-edge technology, what unique insights does he have about human nature in the cyber age?

After 18 months, I was reborn

In February 2024, Noland Arbaugh made his first public appearance at a Neuralink all-hands meeting, becoming the world's first person to receive an experimental brain-computer chip implant from Elon Musk.

At that time, he sat in a wheelchair and rolled onto the stage, announcing his identity.

The Neuralink employees in the venue burst into enthusiastic applause. Noland Arbaugh, a man who lost sensation and movement below his shoulders after a swimming accident in 2016 that dislocated two vertebrae, flashed a broad smile, wearing a red Texas A&M University cap.

He smiled and said, "Hello, humanity."

Just one month before this conference, Noland Arbaugh underwent surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, about a 2.5-hour drive from his home in Yuma.

An experimental chip that Neuralink had been developing for years and testing on animals was implanted in his brain.

Noland Arbaugh was anesthetized during the surgery, which lasted less than two hours. A robotic surgical device manufactured by Neuralink completed the chip implantation and connected the thin electrode wires to the brain neurons.

Now, this device can measure electrical activity, process signals, and then convert these signals into commands for digital devices.

Put simply, this brain-computer interface enables Noland Arbaugh to control a computer with his thoughts.

Therefore, Noland Arbaugh can now do many things, such as playing Mario Kart, controlling the TV, and turning on and off the Dyson air purifier, without physically operating with his fingers or any part of his body.

When Noland Arbaugh first used this device, he broke the 2017 world record for the speed and accuracy of brain-computer interface cursor control.

He said, "It's really, really easy to learn how to use."

When Noland Arbaugh became "Participant 1" (or "P1," as he is called by Neuralink employees and subsequent research participants), he joined a list of about 80 people who are the only ones to have received this device implant so far.

Innovation points of Neuralink technology

Brain-computer interfaces have been a focus of neurological research for over 50 years.

Since 1998, more than a dozen companies in the United States and China have conducted limited human trials.

However, being the first patient to receive a Neuralink implant, especially the experience itself, also holds special significance.

First, Neuralink's device has more than 1,000 electrodes, giving it a higher connection rate than most brain-computer interfaces currently being studied in humans on the market.

Second, Neuralink implants its electrodes into the motor cortex of the brain, the area that controls movement, a more invasive approach than that of competitors such as Synchron or Precision Neuroscience.

The latter also have ongoing research with multiple patients, but their devices do not penetrate as deeply into the brain's motor control area as Neuralink's.

Neuralink's device also has wireless capabilities, while competitors like Blackrock Neurotech need to connect the implant to an external receiver via wires to capture and decode signals (Blackrock Neurotech also has a wireless processor for research).

This means that Neuralink participants can be free from cables - but due to the wireless function, the device needs to be battery-powered and recharged: Noland Arbaugh said it needs to be recharged about every five hours.

Neuralink heated the charger coil and integrated it into some of Noland Arbaugh's hats so that he can charge while wearing them.

Initially, Noland Arbaugh could not use the device while charging, but this function has been updated.

Of course, Neuralink is Elon Musk's brain-computer chip company, which subjects any research participant to unusual attention and scrutiny.

Gains and losses after going public as "P1"

Since Noland Arbaugh went public as "P1," he has become a public figure, frequently invited to podcast shows, and journalists often appear at his doorstep.

His X account was hacked;

He said that someone provided false leads to the local sheriff's office, claiming that he was in danger, and as a result, an armed commando team with AR15 rifles arrived at his home;

He said, "I'm really always busy with all kinds of things, which is completely different from my previous life... I feel like I'm catching up on the progress of the past eight years when I did nothing - I just lay there and stared at the wall most of the time."

Since Noland Arbaugh became Neuralink's first patient in January 2024, eight other people, including one woman, have signed up for the company's clinical trials. These trials are currently open in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.

So far, all surgeries have been performed in US hospitals, and two participants received implants on the same day at the end of July. All research participants suffer from paralysis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

DJ Seo, co-founder and president of Neuralink, said at the company's summer update meeting, "Our goal is to build a complete brain interface."

For Noland Arbaugh, the Neuralink device has completely changed his life.

He said that he uses the device for about 10 hours a day, controlling the computer for learning, reading, and playing games, and can also handle things like interviews.

Noland Arbaugh also enrolled in courses at his local community college in Arizona, starting to take the prerequisite courses for a neuroscience degree. As he said in Fortune magazine, he is also starting his own company - offering paid professional and on-site speeches.

Before the surgery, his state was: "I would stay up all night and sleep during the day. I really didn't want to bother anyone, disrupt any plans, or get in the way of anything. I just had no goals... I was just in a mechanical state, waiting for something to happen."

After the surgery, his excitement and rediscovered sense of purpose were obvious.

Noland Arbaugh did not lose the ability to think or speak due to the accident.

But in the past year and a half, he has regained more autonomy and can do more things.

He said, "I feel like I have potential again. I think I always had it, but now I've found a meaningful way to realize this potential. Everything has changed."

Never had a single doubt

When you talk to Noland Arbaugh, he makes it all seem quite simple.

He had never heard of brain-computer interfaces or Neuralink until the end of 2023, when his military school friend, a fan of Elon Musk, learned about Neuralink's first clinical trial while researching SpaceX.

Noland Arbaugh recalled that his friend Greg Bain contacted him, and he signed up that day, but Bain misspelled Noland Arbaugh's name on the application form.

Noland Arbaugh had conversations with Neuralink founder Elon Musk before and after the surgery.

Although he doesn't have any particular opinion about Elon Musk personally, he said he believes Neuralink will work.

Noland Arbaugh said that he received an email from the Barrow Neurological Institute the day after applying, starting the whole process.

After a screening call and an interview, about a month later, he went to a nearby hospital for a full day of scans and tests.

About three months later, Noland Arbaugh learned that he would be the first participant, and the surgery was scheduled a few weeks later.

Although Noland Arbaugh didn't get paid, Neuralink covered the cost of the surgery and the implant, and would reimburse him for transportation to check-ups or other expenses related to the research.

Noland Arbaugh said that after FDA approval, Neuralink did pay him for two speeches he gave for the company, including the one in February 2024 when he first went public with his identity.

Despite the risks of being the first participant in an experimental clinical trial, Noland Arbaugh said it was an easy decision for him.

Noland Arbaugh said:

"I decided that even if it didn't work - even if something terrible happened - I knew it would ultimately help someone else.

No matter the outcome, they would learn something and push this technology forward.

Technically, I'm a cyborg because I'm enhanced by a machine, but I still consider myself an ordinary person."

However, it was a bit difficult for his parents to make this decision.

Noland Arbaugh recalled that he remembered sending the consent forms he had to sign to his mother, which listed the possible risks of the surgery and various potential problems related to the experimental device.

He said that after his mother read one or two items, she put them down and couldn't read anymore.

But in the end, he said, his parents supported his decision and never showed how difficult it was for them.

He said, "Before that, I wasn't really excited about much, so they were just happy to help in any way they could."

Noland Arbaugh was also very decisive when deciding to go public with his identity.

He said that he wanted to show people that he believes the device is safe and the possibilities it brings to users.

Noland Arbaugh said: "I want to share this with everyone because I think it's very important, and I still think so now. I think this is one of the biggest leaps in technology in a long time, and I believe it will continue to develop."

Noland Arbaugh insisted that Neuralink has never tried to interfere with the content of his public statements, nor has it ever asked him to sign any confidentiality agreements.

He said that on the contrary: Neuralink's staff encouraged him to share anything he wanted to.

But sometimes, he voluntarily chooses not to talk about certain things.

For example, shortly after the surgery, some of the electrode wires retracted, causing him to lose most of his control over the device.

This incident was later reported by The Wall Street Journal, and Neuralink also published a blog post.

Noland Arbaugh said that this incident was important, but he decided to wait until the team figured out what happened and how to fix it, and eventually they succeeded.

He said: "If I had made this information public at that time, it would have been a very hasty move and would definitely have made people lose confidence in the product. I don't want that.

I love this device. I love what Neuralink is doing. I love it all, and I'm really proud of it."

Next step: Brain-computer control of "Optimus"

At Neuralink's announced summer update meeting, Seo outlined the company's next key directions.

Neuralink will launch a trial called "Blindsight" aimed at helping the blind regain their vision. This trial will be conducted in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Neuralink is also developing robotic arms for participants to use.

At the meeting, Elon Musk said that the company hopes to provide sensory control for participants so that they can operate the Optimus robot, and even connect the Optimus' arms or legs to a person's body, allowing them to regain full control of a part of their body.

Elon Musk said: "The future will be strange, but also quite cool."