Elon Musk reveals he’s wired a monkey’s brain to play video games

Elon Musk unveiled Neuralink in 2017

Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI//AFP

Technology mogul Elon Musk has revealed one of his start-ups successfully implanted a chip into a monkey’s brain so that it can play video games with its mind.

Mr Musk set up Neuralink four years ago to develop “brain-computer interface” technology with hopes it would eventually be able to treat brain diseases and allow humans to merge with artificial intelligence.

It works by connecting small chips to an individual’s brain though thousands of microscopic threads. They enter the brain through four holes drilled in the skull, and can monitor “neural spikes”.

Mr Musk was asked about developments with the technology in a discussion on private social app Clubhouse. Up until now, much of its work has been kept under wraps.

He said the company had “a monkey with a wireless implant in their skull with tiny wires, who can play video games with his mind”.

The Neuralink chip is connected to a thousand microscopic threads that enter the brain through four holes drilled in the skull

Credit: Neuralink

“You can’t see where the implant is and he’s a happy monkey. We have the nicest monkey facilities in the world. We want them to play mind-Pong with each other.”

The billionaire, who also acts as CEO of electric car company Tesla and space company SpaceX, said there were “primitive versions of this device with wires sticking out of your head, but it’s like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires that go into your brain”.

The rare update on Neuralink’s work comes after Mr Musk revealed in August that it had been testing on a pig named Gertrude, who had at the time had an implant for two months. 

In that trial, the company had been able to predict the movements of the pig through using the chip to track its neural spikes. 

Neuralink has maintained that it is carrying out the tests humanely.

Last summer, the company said it was hoping to start human trials this year, although this was pending approval from the US medical regulator.

Initially, Neuralink will be planning to use its technology to help paralysed patients control their smartphones or computers, although later the company has said the chips could be used to treat those with brain disorders.

Advanced versions of the technology would later allow people to compete with superhuman artificial intelligence, by augmenting their brains.