I took a nap and woke up a
cyborg – How technology can help disabled people and
advance humanity

Lesen Sie die deutsche Version hier.

When I first heard the phrase “brain-computer interface,” it sounded like something out of a science fiction novel, not a technology that would forever change my life. Yet one year ago, at the beginning of 2024, Barrow Neurological Institute and Neuralink offered me an opportunity to become the first participant in their groundbreaking “Prime” study. I’ve had the unique chance to witness up-close the potential of this technology, able to enhance human capabilities by utilizing the power of thought.

Neuralink aims to overcome biological limitations, offering the possibility for improved learning, memory, and communication. For someone like me, living with a spinal cord injury, this innovation could restore independence, improve quality of life, and open doors to activities once thought impossible.

The implications of Neuralink go beyond personal transformation; they raise complex questions about humanity’s future. What happens when technology enhances cognitive abilities beyond natural limits? How will society adapt to a world where intelligence is augmented by machines? Neuralink offers a glimpse into a future where the boundaries of human capabilities are redefined.

When a college buddy called in the fall of 2023 asking if I wanted to put a chip in my brain, my immediate response was, “Sure, I’ve got nothing else going on.” I asked for a quick rundown of what exactly I was getting into, and it went something like this. Neuralink is a company which uses a chip surgically inserted into the brain allowing the control of a computer using only thoughts; all of which is called Brain-computer Interface (BCI). Luckily for me, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had just approved human trials for the company, and their initial participants were set to be people with disabilities, the first being someone with quadriplegia. A freak accident eight years earlier had dislocated my neck at the Cervical 4/5 level (C4/C5), leaving me quadriplegic, with no sensation or movement below my shoulders. So, my buddy instantly thought of me for the study.

The application process and surgery were surprisingly simple – from my perspective, that is. While the Neuralink and Barrow teams spent years of blood, sweat, and tears preparing for this moment, my role was easy: I took a nap and woke up a cyborg.

A contributing member of society instead of a welfare consumer

My first experiences using the Neuralink chip were surreal. Tasks that had previously been challenging or impossible for me as a quadriplegic suddenly were within reach. I was able to control a computer cursor with my thoughts – a feat both empowering and humbling, and over time, I began to understand the broader potential of this technology.

Beyond basic functionality, Neuralink enabled me to approach learning and communication in new ways. Tasks that were once tedious and exhausting – like writing emails or sending text messages – have now become seamless; in fact, composing this very essay is now possible. I was able to dictate my thoughts, type effortlessly, and integrate AI assistance through Neuralink.

I finally believed I could attend university again or find my place in the workforce. I could become a meaningfully contributing member of society rather than relying on assistance. What once required help, I could now accomplish independently – whether it was navigating complex digital platforms, coordinating projects online, or even exploring creative endeavors like designing digital art. Neuralink was not merely a tool; it was a bridge between my mind and untapped potential.

«Neuralink was not merely a tool; it was a bridge between my mind and untapped potential.»

More than anything, Neuralink has given me hope – hope for those with disabilities and for what this technology could achieve. For people facing neurological or physical challenges, Neuralink offers the potential to restore essential functions and significantly improve quality of life. Imagine a stroke survivor regaining the ability to communicate or a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor nervous system disease, controlling devices independently. These possibilities are no longer science fiction – they are within reach.

Increased competition

One of Neuralink’s most transformative features is its ability to enhance communication. For individuals with speech or mobility impairments, the technology would bypass traditional methods entirely, translating thoughts directly into digital outputs. Similarly, its potential to augment memory and learning could revolutionize education, enabling students to process and retain information at unprecedented rates. In the workplace, cognitive enhancements could drive new levels of efficiency and innovation but might also create pressure to adopt such technology, increasing competition.

Traditionally, medical interventions have focused on restoring lost functions, but emerging technologies like Neuralink blur the line between restoration and enhancement. This raises ethical questions about whether society should treat these functions differently or accept that the boundary is increasingly indistinct. Ultimately, our challenge is to ensure that these advancements are applied responsibly to benefit all.

While still in its early stages, my experience hints at a future where such possibilities become commonplace. By overcoming obstacles previously deemed insurmountable, Neuralink will empower individuals to regain their independence, pursue new opportunities, and engage more fully with the world around them, as it has already done for me.

Of course, there are societal and ethical considerations that must be addressed. How do we protect privacy when thoughts can potentially be read or recorded? What happens to human identity when biological intelligence becomes intertwined with machines? As Neuralink evolves, society must address these challenges thoughtfully to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks. I do not claim to have these answers, nor do I feign expertise in such complex matters. However, regarding the question of human identity, I firmly believe that it is not a trivial matter that can simply be overwritten, supplanted, or exchanged – regardless of our circumstances, we remain who we are. The question of protecting privacy, on the other hand, is best left to litigators, experts, and activists.

If intelligence can be enhanced, how will societies adapt to a world where human potential is no longer limited by biology? This singular possibility challenges us to rethink what it means to be human in an era where technology extends the boundaries of our minds.

As someone with first-hand experience, I understand the capacity Neuralink has to elevate humanity to new heights. The path forward demands careful consideration of ethics and unintended consequences. Neuralink is not just a tool for change – it is a catalyst for reimagining the future of our species. Whether we use it responsibly will determine how this potential unfolds for generations to come.

Progress – and caution

My journey as the first participant in Neuralink’s study has given me a unique perspective on the transformative potential of BCI technology. I’ve seen how it bridges the gap between limitations and possibilities, restoring independence and enhancing human capabilities. Its broader implications for humanity cannot be understated.

Neuralink challenges us to rethink the boundaries of human potential, offering glimpses of a future where learning, communication, and cognition are no longer constrained by biology. As someone positioned so closely to Neuralink, I believe this technology holds incredible promise. But its future depends on our ability to navigate its complexities thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring it enhances humanity as a whole. Neuralink is not just a tool – it is progress; it is caution; it is a call to action; it is promise and potential; it is machine enhancement, human ingenuity, and biological integration. It is empowerment and unity; it is miniaturization yet magnification; it is hope. And it very well may be the future of the 21st century.