Neuralink and the Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces: The First Human Chess Game Played by Thought

What is Neuralink?

Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a group of engineers and scientists. Its mission is to develop a high-bandwidth, brain-computer interface (BCI) that connects the human brain directly to external devices — enabling communication, control, and potentially even treatment of neurological conditions.

At the heart of Neuralink’s technology is a tiny implant, embedded in the brain by a surgical robot. This implant uses ultra-thin, flexible threads to read and transmit brain signals. The goal is to decode neural activity and translate it into commands — such as moving a cursor, typing text, or controlling a prosthetic — using thought alone.

Initially, the focus is on helping people with severe neurological impairments, such as quadriplegia or ALS. Long term, the vision is much more ambitious: merging humans with artificial intelligence and even enabling “superhuman cognition,” as Musk describes it.

Neuralink’s Progress So Far

In 2021, Neuralink released a video of a monkey named Pager playing the classic video game Pong — entirely with its mind. The monkey had learned to control the paddle on screen via a brain implant, without touching any physical controller.

This experiment demonstrated the potential of Neuralink’s device to accurately read brain activity and convert it into real-time digital commands. However, the ultimate test would be how this technology performs in a human brain.

The First Human with a Neuralink Implant Plays Chess with His Mind

Three years after the monkey Pong experiment, Neuralink has taken a historic next step: implanting its device in a human brain.

The company recently released a video featuring Noland Arbaugh, the first human to receive the Neuralink implant. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic who lost movement below the neck in a diving accident nearly a decade ago, is now able to move a cursor on a computer screen — and play chess — using only his thoughts.

He describes the first time he moved the cursor as “a wild experience”. The video shows him playing a chess game in real time, thinking through each move while the cursor glides smoothly across the board.

While he acknowledges that the trial has come with some challenges — “we’ve run into some issues,” he says — Arbaugh notes that he has not experienced any cognitive side effects.

“I don’t want people to think this is the end of the journey,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but it has already changed my life.”

Shortly after the surgery, Elon Musk announced on social media:

“The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”

According to the company, the implant is inserted by a robot, which places ultra-fine threads into a brain region that controls movement intention. Once implanted, the device is cosmetically invisible and communicates wirelessly with an app that decodes the user’s mental commands.

The Future of BCIs

Neuralink is not alone in developing brain-computer interfaces — other companies, like Synchron and Blackrock Neurotech, are also making strides. But Neuralink stands out for its bold ambitions, rapid iteration, and media presence.

The technology is still in early stages, but the implications are vast: from restoring communication and mobility for people with disabilities to one day enabling seamless interaction between humans and machines.

Whether this future includes “superhuman cognition” or not, Neuralink has already made history — and the chessboard is only the beginning.

What Neuralink Technology Offers and Who It Helps