Elon Musk’s Neuralink project has been bringing a concept that seems out of science fiction – brain implants that allow users to control tech – into reality.
So far, the company has implanted the device into a subject with quadriplegia. While he was able to do things like play online chess, he then lost some of the ability when parts of the device slipped out of place.
This all begs questions about safety, ethics and the future of the human relationship with technology. Our team at “Something Offbeat” reached out to two experts to dive into them.
“My concerns about the Neuralink implant is what they intend to do with it, but also sort of their… poor track record so far with research,” said L. Syd M. Johnson, associate professor of bioethics and humanities at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “And then, all of the hype and the over promising that they’re doing about what these devices will be able to do.”
“The Neuralink device is unique, but the idea of implanting a device or using some, less invasive technology to do something similarly, that’s out there,” explained science journalist Faye Flam. “In fact, that’s the other reason that Elon Musk has reported that he wants to rush is to beat these competitors, which is also a potential problem.”
Would you get a chip put in your brain? Listen here to our full episode with Johnson and Flam to learn more.
Each week, “Something Offbeat” takes a deeper look at an unusual headline. If you have suggestions for stories the podcast should cover, send them to us at somethingoffbeat@audacy.com.