Paralyzed man who became first to receive Elon Musk’s Neuralink chip reveals how it has changed his life

He can even play video games with his mind – and has been beating his friends (BBC)

Now, he says he’s been able to hone his ability with the device, to the point where he can play video games and even beat his pals, ‘which really shouldn’t be possible but it is,’ Noland added.

Scientists have long been working on the subject for decades and the company isn’t the first to implant the technology, but Musk’s Neuralink has forced the advanced tech center stage.

Prior to the surgery, Noland said he met the billionaire Tesla and SpaceX boss and said he felt Musk was ‘just as excited’ to get the ball rolling.

However, he says the tech is more than just the boss, saying he doesn’t consider it an ‘Elon Musk device.’

Still, while researchers say it presents a ‘significant milestone’ in the science and tech world, they also warn it poses its own risks.

The first is privacy, according to Anil Seth, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, UK, who said ‘exporting our brain activity’ essentially opens the doors to ‘not just what we do but potentially what we think, what we believe and what we feel’.

Neuralink isn’t the first to be advancing the technology (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Speaking to the news outlet, he added: “Once you’ve got access to stuff inside your head, there really is no other barrier to personal privacy left.”

Although transformative, Noland says there was some hiccups – notably when the device lost control of his computer and disconnected from his brain.

Recalling the incident, he said it was ‘upsetting to say the least’ and feared he might not be able to use the chip again.

Fortunately, the connection was repaired and improved and Noland says he hopes to see the chips advance even further – possibly helping him to control his wheelchair or possibly even a humanoid robot.

The only downside for Noland is that he agreed to be in the study for six years, after which point his future remains uncertain.