Neuralink's DJ Seo: Inside the Race to Connect Brains and AI

Video Introduction: Neuralink Patient Stories00:01

The session begins with a two-minute video showcasing Neuralink's impact. The first product, Telepathy, enables individuals who have lost the ability to command their body to communicate with a computer through thought alone. A cursor moves on screen based on neural intent. One patient, previously locked-in, non-verbal, and quadriplegic due to ALS, now controls a computer entirely by thinking. The patient describes the experience as miraculous, noting that before the implant they were locked in, but now they can do things other dads cannot, creating a powerful experience for their child.

The Convoy team at Neuralink develops assistive robotic devices controlled by the brain implant, aiming for physical independence in the real world. Patients describe moving robotic arms in different directions and axes, calling the experience incredible and life-changing. One patient regained the ability to gesture with an arm, restoring functionality thought to be gone forever.

For patients losing speech due to ALS, the brain-computer interface restores voice. A patient demonstrates speaking by thinking, saying "Hello" and "I'm talking to you with my mind."

The second product highlighted is Blindsight, designed to restore vision for those with total loss of vision, including loss of eyes or optic nerve. An external camera captures scenes and writes directly to the visual cortex through electrical stimulation, creating phosphenes. Patients describe the experience as life-changing.