First Person with Neuralink Brain Chip Plays Telekinetic Chess: A Game-Changer in Brain-Computer Interfaces

Neuralink’s First Human Trial Participant Shows Off “Telekinetic” Chess Skills in Livestream

In a surprising livestream posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the first person to have Neuralink’s computer-linked chip implanted in their brain showcased their “telekinetic” online chess-playing skills. Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old with quadriplegia, volunteered for the procedure as part of Neuralink’s ongoing trial of the technology.

Arbaugh, whose identity had been kept secret until now, controlled a computer cursor with his thoughts while playing chess on a laptop. Describing the experience as “like using The Force,” he expressed excitement about the possibilities the brain chip offered. He even joked about dressing up as the telepathic superhero Professor X for Halloween.

The Neuralink device, called Telepathy, is implanted into a small hole in the skull and connects to a region of the brain that controls movement intention. It detects brain signals and wirelessly transmits data to control a computer system, allowing users to operate a keyboard and mouse with their thoughts.

Arbaugh shared that learning to use the brain chip was intuitive for him, allowing him to control the cursor by simply imagining its movement. He has used the device to play games, learn languages, and control computer functions, enhancing his independence and quality of life.

While Arbaugh described the surgery as “super easy” and reported no cognitive impairment post-implantation, experts have raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding Neuralink’s human trials. They caution that brain-computer interfaces could be vulnerable to hacking and stress the importance of transparency in the development of such technologies.

Despite these concerns, Arbaugh expressed gratitude for the life-changing impact the Neuralink device has had on his life. He emphasized his desire to be part of something that he believes will change the world and expressed excitement about the future possibilities of the technology.

Neuralink’s BCI software lead, Bliss Chapman, announced that more information about the device and the initial trial would be released in the coming days. As Neuralink continues to push the boundaries of brain-computer interfaces, the world eagerly awaits further developments in this groundbreaking field.