Neuralink's First Human Brain Implant Malfunctions, but Quadriplegic Participant Remains Satisfied with Progress

California, United States United States of America
Arbaugh has been able to control his laptop from various positions using only thoughts.
Engineers modified the recording algorithm and improved techniques to translate signals into cursor movements for rapid improvement in performance.
Link device is being used for 69 hours over the course of a week, broken up into structured sessions and personal use.
Neuralink aims to grant people with paralysis ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard by thought alone.
Neuralink reported a malfunction in its first human brain implant, known as the Link.
Quadriplegic participant Noland Arbaugh expressed satisfaction with the technology despite initial setback.
The threads responsible for transmitting neural signals to control cursor movements retracted from the patient's brain tissue.
Neuralink's First Human Brain Implant Malfunctions, but Quadriplegic Participant Remains Satisfied with Progress

Elon Musk's Neuralink reported a malfunction in its first human brain implant, known as the Link, which resulted in some threads retracting from the patient's brain tissue. The threads are responsible for transmitting neural signals to control cursor movements. After identifying the issue, Neuralink engineers modified the recording algorithm and improved techniques to translate signals into cursor movements for rapid improvement in performance.

The first human trial participant, Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, has been using the device for around eight hours a day during weekdays and up to 10 hours on weekends. Despite the initial setback, Arbaugh expressed his satisfaction with the technology and its ability to help him reconnect with the world.

Neuralink's brain-computer interface (BCI) system aims to grant people with paralysis the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard by thought alone. The company has been closely monitoring Arbaugh's experience, participating in research sessions for up to 8 hours a day.

The Link device is being used for a total of 69 hours over the course of a week, broken up into 35 hours of structured sessions and 34 hours for personal use and recreation. Arbaugh has been able to control his laptop from various positions, including while lying down in bed. He plays online games, browses the internet, live streams, and uses other applications on his MacBook using only his thoughts.

Neuralink scientists are currently working to push cursor control performance to the same level as that of able-bodied individuals and expand the functionality of the device to include text entry. This could enable control over robotic arms, wheelchairs, and other technologies for people living with quadriplegia.

Despite this initial issue, Neuralink remains committed to its goal of revolutionizing how we interact with technology using our thoughts.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Was the malfunction a common issue or an isolated incident?
  • What was the exact cause of the threads retracting from the brain tissue?

Sources

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Neuralink Reveals Issues With First Human Brain Implant After Surgery

HuffPost Nina Golgowski Friday, 10 May 2024 21:30
  • Unique Points
    • Neuralink's first human brain implant experienced mechanical issues, resulting in loss of connectivity
    • An undisclosed number of threads retracted from Nolan Arbaugh’s brain
  • Accuracy
    • Engineers heightened implant sensitivity and adjusted neural signal translation to improve performance
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority when it mentions that the Food and Drug Administration approved Neuralink's first human clinical trial a year ago. This is not a logical fallacy on its own, but it becomes one when the author uses it as evidence of Neuralink's credibility without providing any context or analysis. However, since this is the only potential fallacy I found and it does not significantly impact the overall accuracy or fairness of the article, I am scoring it a 95.
    • The Food and Drug Administration approved Neuralink’s first human clinical trial a year ago this month.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Human with Neuralink brain chip sees improvement after initial malfunction, company says

USA Today Saturday, 11 May 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Neuralink's first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, experienced issues with electrode-studded threads retracting from his brain tissue eight months after implantation
    • Neuralink scientists modified the recording algorithm and improved techniques to translate signals into cursor movements for rapid improvement in BPS (bits-per-second)
    • Arbaugh uses the Neuralink device to control his laptop from various positions, including lying down in bed, and plays online games and browses the internet
  • Accuracy
    • some threads retracted from Arbaugh’s brain tissue
    • Neuralink modified the recording algorithm and improved techniques to translate signals into cursor movements for rapid improvement in BPS (bits-per-second)
    • Neuralink contacted the FDA regarding the issue and believes it knows how to fix it
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but overall the author's assertions are supported by facts and evidence. No formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions were found. The author reports on Neuralink's claims about the malfunction and resolution, as well as the progress made with their first human participant. The article also includes quotes from Neuralink and Noland Arbaugh that add credibility to the information presented.
    • ]The idea and ultimate goal of the software is to grant people with paralysis the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard by thought alone.[
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Musk's Neuralink weighed removing patient's brain-chip implant: report

Business Insider Jyoti Mann Saturday, 11 May 2024 14:32
  • Unique Points
    • Neuralink's first human brain implant experienced mechanical issues, resulting in loss of connectivity
    • An undisclosed number of threads retracted from Nolan Arbaugh’s brain
    • Engineers heightened implant sensitivity and adjusted neural signal translation to improve performance
  • Accuracy
    • The retraction caused a malfunction affecting cursor control
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article reports on Neuralink's first human brain implant and the issue of some threads retracting from the patient's brain. The author does not commit any logical fallacies in their reporting of the facts. However, they do make an appeal to authority by mentioning The Wall Street Journal as a source for information about Neuralink considering removing the implant from the patient altogether.
    • The Journal reported that Neuralink considered removing the implant from the patient altogether, citing unnamed sources.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Neuralink's first in-human brain implant has experienced a problem, company says

CNBC News Ashley Capoot Thursday, 09 May 2024 00:47
  • Unique Points
    • Neuralink reported a malfunction in its first in-human brain implant called the Link.
    • After the implantation, some threads retracted from Arbaugh’s brain tissue, reducing the number of effective electrodes and affecting Link’s speed and accuracy.
    • Neuralink worked on modifying the recording algorithm, enhancing user interface, and improving signal translation into cursor movements as a workaround.
    • Arbaugh is using the Neuralink BCI system for around 8 hours a day during weekdays and up to 10 hours on weekends.
  • Accuracy
    • Some threads retracted from Arbaugh’s brain tissue, reducing the number of effective electrodes and affecting Link’s speed and accuracy.
    • An undisclosed number of threads retracted from Nolan Arbaugh’s brain.
    • The retraction caused a malfunction affecting cursor control.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication