The Neuralink Launch
Gertrude and the Computer chip
When artificial intelligence is discussed it is for some a discussion about artificial general intelligence.
In this context there are discussions about how we can enhance human intelligence. One of those most interested in this undertaking is Elon Musk with his company Neuralink.
As you may see from the banner picture to this presentation, there is a robot that has been developed intended to implant a chip in a human.
A screenshot from the Neuralink presentation shows the changes in the design of the chip.
This late August 2020 it does look like Elon Musk is closer to realising his goal of implanting computer chips in humans.
However, he has decided to test it on a pig first. Elon Musk unveiled a pig called Gertrude.
Gertrude had a coin-sized computer chip in her brain.
This was done to demonstrate Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to create a working brain-to-machine interface.
In BBC he is quoted from the webcast as saying:
"It’s kind of like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires."
If it works the intention is to control electronics such as computers or phones with your mind.
Mush has a long-term ambition to usher in an age of what he calls "superhuman cognition".
He has been outspoken previously on the topic of superhuman artificial intelligence that poses an existential risk to humanity.
According to BBC:
His start-up Neuralink applied to launch human trials last year.
Chips can be used to help cure certain diseases.
In the same article it was said:
“Gertrude was one of three pigs in pens that took part in Friday’s webcast demo. She took a while to get going, but when she ate and sniffed straw, the activity showed up on a graph tracking her neural activity. She then mostly ignored all the attention around her.”
It showed neural activity.
Neuralink has worked hard to recruit scientists, since it was founded in 2017.
The purpose of the demo was apparently to attract talent.
“The device the company is developing consists of a tiny probe containing more than 3,000 electrodes attached to flexible threads thinner than a human hair, which can monitor the activity of 1,000 brain neurons.”
There are likely limitations to how far they can proceed with current research, yet it is interesting to see them try.
Elon Musk has been said to have a habit of making bold statements. Sometimes he deliver, and sometimes he does not. It may take longer than planned.
The full stream can be viewed here:
Additionally here is a 14 minute summary:
Hope this article was helpful as an introduction.
So what do you think?
Do you think Elon Musk will succeed?
What implications will this have?
This is #500daysofAI and you are reading article 452. I am writing one new article about or related to artificial intelligence every day for 500 days.
