Noland Arbaugh, the first patient to test Neuralink’s brain chip technology, stated that theoretically, hackers could access the chip and view his brain data. However, Noland Arbaugh expressed that he is not overly concerned about being hacked.
In an interview, when asked by the host, “Is it possible for the chip to be hacked?”, Noland Arbaugh replied, “The short answer is yes.”
“They could see some brain signals and access some data that Neuralink is collecting,” he continued. However, Noland Arbaugh noted that hacking into his brain implant would not have much effect, at least at this time.
Noland Arbaugh stated that the brain chip could be hacked. (Illustrative image).
Noland Arbaugh is a 29-year-old quadriplegic. After undergoing surgery to implant a Neuralink chip the size of a coin, which contains thousands of electrodes to monitor and stimulate brain activity, Noland Arbaugh reported that the chip has made him more independent and reconnected him with society.
With the help of the chip, Noland Arbaugh can control a computer cursor using only his brain. “I have used it to message people on X, use Instagram, reply to emails, play virtual sports, read comics online, and access websites I use to learn Japanese.”
If hackers could control the chip, this would mean they could manipulate the cursor to access Noland Arbaugh’s computer. However, Neuralink warned about this risk before Noland Arbaugh agreed to the surgery, but he is not worried about it.
Neuralink’s founder, Elon Musk, has previously stated that one day this chip could help treat mental health issues such as autism and schizophrenia. This claim has been debated by some neuroscientists, who do not believe that the chip could change the developmental structure of the brain affected by certain conditions.
However, currently, Neuralink’s chip shows potential to transform the healthcare industry in the future, as it has helped patients with paralysis like Noland Arbaugh improve their mobility. Elon Musk hopes to make the Neuralink chip widely available and integrate it into everyone’s skull.
The brain implant startup Neuralink, founded by the billionaire, is currently accepting applications for its second trial participants.
