Elon Musk's Neuralink details brain implants for AI interface

The company is apparently achieved success in trials with monkeys.

Elon Musk's Neuralink has finally announced details of its ambitious brain interface technology.

Founded in 2017, the startup aims to achieve a direct link between the brain and artificial intelligence. Musk argues that a "high-bandwidth brain-machine interface" will be necessary for humans to take full advantage of AI.

The company will achieve higher bandwidth via thousands of extremely fine thread-like sensors that are inserted into the brain by a robot. The system sends data wirelessly to a computer or other device.

Despite Musk's apparent focus on using the technology to help humans achieve superior intelligence, other leaders in the company suggest its role is narrowly focused on addressing "serious unmet medical diseases." The discrepancy presumably comes down to the need to gain FDA approval for experiments on humans, which requires medical justification for invasive surgical procedures.

Neuralink so far has tested its prototype technology on rats and monkeys. Musk suggests human trials could begin as early as late 2020. The recent announcement mostly focused on the implant technology, though Musk hinted at progress actually using the sensor data.

"A monkey has been able to control the computer with his brain," he said. "Just FYI."