A man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has had a brain chip for five years, allowing him to control devices with his thoughts.
Elon Musk leads Neuralink, a neurotechnology company. In January 2024, the company successfully implanted its first brain chip in a human, allowing the recipient to control a computer cursor using their thoughts. Furthermore, the company announced in September of last year that twelve people had already undergone the chip implantation procedure, which allows them to control digital devices using their brain activity.
However, despite Neuralink's expansion beyond the US with brain chip implants in the UK, Musk's company faces direct competition that challenges its ability to prove the chip's effectiveness. That competitor is Synchron, a company backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, which in May 2024 unveiled plans to expand its brain-development technology to treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
Synchron has been implanting brain chips for five years, so patient Rodney Gorham is a clear example that implants are able to deliver on their promise when it comes to controlling computers and other digital devices by thought.
In an exclusive interview with Wired magazine, Gorham revealed that he had a brain-computing chip (BCI) implanted five years ago. Initially, he used the chip for single clicks, then progressed to using multiple clicks and a scroll bar, and now he can move the computer cursor horizontally and vertically in a two-dimensional plane.
It is worth noting that during these five years, Gorham tested various devices using the implanted chip to play music, control a fan, adjust lighting, activate a smart pet feeder, and operate a robotic vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, with the help of Zafar Faraz, a clinical field engineer at Synchron, he is working to improve the chip's reliability and ease of use.
According to Wired magazine, Gorham worked as a software salesman for IBM before being diagnosed with ALS in 2016, and he enjoyed being an integral part of technology development. So, when he works with Fraz to develop what he actually needs in his daily life, a broad smile is often seen on Gorham's face after each session.
On the other hand, during the years Gorham spent using Synchron, his disease progressed slowly, as the implant requires significant concentration and causes fatigue. Furthermore, Wired magazine adds that Gorham "used to conduct interviews with journalists via WhatsApp, but now finds it difficult to send long text messages." This raises important questions for Synchron regarding the viability of these devices for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
In conclusion, while individuals with stable forms of paralysis, such as those resulting from spinal cord injuries, can use brain-computer interfaces for most of their lives, this does not mean the process is easy or without challenges. Prolonged use of these devices can lead to mental fatigue, especially when used for extended periods daily. Therefore, as Caroline Gorham concluded, it is essential that companies pay greater attention to the human element when developing these technologies and recognize that each person has their own unique needs, abilities, and limitations.