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ALS Patient Uses Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip to Create Video

ALS Patient Uses Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip to Create Video

Breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interfaces

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s pioneering brain-computer interface (BCI) company, aims to revolutionize how humans interact with technology by directly linking the brain to computers. Their mission is to restore lost abilities for people with neurological conditions and ultimately enhance human cognition. Recently, Brad Smith became the first person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to receive Neuralink’s implant, marking a significant milestone in the technology’s real-world application.

Brad’s groundbreaking achievement goes beyond receiving the implant—he created, edited, and narrated a video entirely using his brain chip. This remarkable feat showcases how Neuralink can empower individuals who have lost the ability to speak or use traditional devices. By translating brain impulses into precise computer control, Brad is reclaiming his independence and reshaping how disabled people communicate. This breakthrough offers a glimpse into a future where thought-powered technology transforms lives and redefines accessibility.

Understanding ALS and Communication Challenges

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movement. As the disease advances, patients gradually lose control over muscles used for speaking, swallowing, and moving, often leading to complete paralysis. One of the most profound challenges faced by people with ALS is the loss of their ability to communicate verbally, which can severely impact their quality of life and independence.

Traditional assistive technologies, such as eye gaze systems, have been used to help nonverbal ALS patients communicate. These devices track eye movement to control a cursor on a screen, allowing users to type or select phrases. While eye gaze systems are life-changing tools, they come with limitations: they require stable lighting conditions, can be tiring to use over extended periods, and often confine users to specific environments to work effectively. Additionally, the communication speed can be slow, frustrating users who think much faster than they can type.

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface represents a revolutionary leap beyond these limitations. By directly interpreting brain signals to control devices, Neuralink allows for faster, more natural communication, regardless of environment or physical constraints. For ALS patients like Brad Smith, this technology is not just an assistive tool—it’s a lifeline that restores autonomy and connection.

Neuralink’s Brain Chip: How It Works

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) is a cutting-edge technology designed to create a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices. The core of Neuralink’s innovation is a small, implantable chip that reads neural signals from the motor cortex—the brain area responsible for controlling voluntary movements. These signals are then decoded and translated into commands that can control a computer cursor, keyboard, or other devices, enabling users to interact with technology using only their thoughts.

The implantation process is highly precise and minimally invasive, performed with the help of a specialized surgical robot. This robot assists in placing the chip directly into the motor cortex through tiny incisions in the skull, targeting specific regions that correspond to movement control. The robotic system ensures accuracy and safety, reducing human error during this delicate procedure.

Once implanted, the chip detects electrical impulses generated by neurons. Initially, patients like Brad Smith control the cursor by imagining moving their hand, which the chip interprets as cursor movement. Over time, Smith found it easier and more reliable to control the interface by thinking about moving his tongue or clenching his jaw—movements that produce clearer neural signals.

This direct neural control offers a major advantage over traditional assistive technologies. Unlike external devices that depend on eye movement or muscle activity, Neuralink bypasses physical limitations, allowing faster and more intuitive interaction. This breakthrough has the potential to drastically improve communication speed and quality for people with paralysis or severe motor impairments, marking a transformative step in assistive technology.

Brad Smith’s Journey: From ALS to Neuralink User

Brad Smith was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that gradually impairs muscle control and communication abilities. As the disease advanced, Brad became nonverbal and increasingly reliant on assistive technology to interact with the world around him. His primary communication tool was an eye gaze device, which allowed him to select letters and words by focusing his gaze on specific areas of a screen. While this technology was a “miracle of technology,” it had significant limitations — it worked best in low-light environments and often confined Brad to dark rooms, limiting his freedom and social interactions.

Seeking a better solution, Brad chose to become one of the first human patients to receive Neuralink’s brain-computer interface implant. The decision was motivated by the hope of regaining more natural and faster communication. In November 2024, Brad underwent the robotic surgical procedure to have the Neuralink chip implanted in his motor cortex.

Adapting to the brain chip took time and patience. Initially, Brad controlled the computer cursor by imagining moving his hand, but over time, he found it easier to use neural signals associated with tongue and jaw movements, which produced clearer signals for the device to interpret. This adjustment allowed him to perform more complex tasks, such as editing videos, entirely using his thoughts.

The impact on Brad’s life has been profound. The Neuralink implant has given him newfound freedom and hope, enabling faster communication and greater independence. It has allowed him to participate more fully in conversations and daily activities, improving both his emotional well-being and quality of life. Brad’s journey highlights the transformative potential of brain-computer interfaces for people living with paralysis and communication challenges.

Creating a Video Using Only Brain Signals

Brad Smith’s recent achievement of editing and narrating a video entirely using Neuralink’s brain-computer interface marks a groundbreaking milestone in assistive technology. Using motor cortex signals detected by the implanted chip, Brad was able to control the cursor on his MacBook Pro purely with his thoughts. Initially, he moved the cursor by imagining the movement of his hand, which Neuralink’s system translated into precise cursor control. However, over time, Brad found it easier and more reliable to generate these neural impulses by thinking about moving his tongue or clenching his jaw, which provided clearer signals for the device to interpret.

This mental control allowed Brad to operate complex video editing software without any physical interaction, selecting clips, trimming footage, and assembling the video timeline—all through thought alone. Beyond editing, Brad narrated the video using an AI-powered system that combined archived recordings of his voice from before he lost speech with AI speech synthesis, producing narration that retained the natural tone and personality of his original voice. This innovative combination of brain-computer interface and AI voice cloning gave Brad the ability to communicate in a way that was both personal and accessible.

Brad himself described the project as possibly the first video ever edited using a brain-computer interface, showcasing a new frontier in digital creativity and independence. For people with severe physical disabilities, this technology represents a revolutionary tool, enabling them not just to communicate but to create and contribute in ways previously unimaginable. The ability to produce complex digital content through thought alone could redefine accessibility, giving disabled users unprecedented control over their digital lives and opening new pathways for self-expression and participation in the digital world.

AI and Neuralink: Enhancing Communication

Brad Smith’s collaboration with the Neuralink team led to the development of a specialized chat app designed to enhance communication speed and ease for people with ALS. Recognizing that Brad’s thoughts move faster than his ability to type—even with the brain-computer interface—the team integrated advanced AI technologies to bridge this gap. The app utilizes Grok 3, an AI language model, alongside an AI-generated clone of Brad’s original voice, created from recordings made before he lost his ability to speak. This combination allows the app to listen to ongoing conversations and suggest appropriate responses Brad can select quickly, making exchanges more natural and fluid.

For ALS patients, who often face the frustrating challenge of thinking far faster than they can physically communicate, these micro-communication aids are invaluable. They reduce the cognitive load involved in constructing messages from scratch and enable more intuitive, real-time interaction. Brad explained that while the system isn’t perfect yet, it keeps him actively involved in conversations, helping maintain his social connections and independence.

This AI-assisted chat app exemplifies how artificial intelligence can work hand-in-hand with brain-computer interfaces to improve quality of life for people with severe disabilities. AI doesn’t replace the user’s intent but amplifies their ability to express it more rapidly and authentically. The synergy between Neuralink’s direct neural control and AI’s language processing capabilities represents a powerful step forward in assistive technology, opening new horizons for communication and engagement for those affected by paralysis and speech loss.

Comparison: Neuralink vs. Traditional Assistive Devices

Traditional assistive devices like eye gaze systems have long been a lifeline for people with severe paralysis, allowing users to control computers and communicate by tracking their eye movements. These systems use cameras to detect where the user is looking, translating that into cursor movements or selections. While effective, they come with significant limitations. Eye gaze devices often require controlled lighting conditions and minimal head movement, making them less reliable in bright or outdoor environments. Users are frequently confined to dimly lit rooms to optimize performance, which restricts their mobility and social interaction.

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface offers a groundbreaking alternative. By directly tapping into motor cortex signals, it allows users like Brad Smith to control a computer cursor purely through thought, independent of external conditions such as lighting or camera angle. This technology gives users the freedom to communicate anytime and anywhere—whether indoors or outside—dramatically improving quality of life.

This shift from external, environment-dependent devices to a seamless, internal neural control marks a new era in assistive communication. Neuralink doesn’t just augment existing tools; it fundamentally redefines the possibilities for people with paralysis, promising greater independence, speed, and dignity in how they interact with the world.

Neuralink’s Human Trials and Future Prospects

Neuralink officially announced its expansion to human trials in September 2023, marking a significant milestone for brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. By January 2024, the company successfully implanted its device in the first human subject, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in assistive tech. These early trials aim to evaluate the safety, functionality, and effectiveness of the Neuralink implant in enabling patients with paralysis to control external devices using only their thoughts.

The implantation process is performed by a highly precise, robot-assisted surgical system that targets the motor cortex—the brain region responsible for voluntary movement. This approach minimizes risk and improves accuracy, essential for patient safety and device performance. The initial goal is to allow users to control a computer cursor or keyboard directly through neural impulses, translating brain signals into digital commands without any physical movement.

Beyond cursor control, Neuralink envisions a future where BCIs can restore speech synthesis, enhance mobility through powered exoskeletons, and provide other advanced communication aids. Such applications could dramatically improve independence and quality of life for millions living with neurological impairments.

However, the development of BCIs also raises important ethical considerations, including patient privacy, long-term safety, and equitable access to technology. Challenges remain in refining the technology, ensuring reliability, and addressing regulatory concerns. Despite these hurdles, Neuralink’s human trials represent a crucial step toward transforming how people with disabilities interact with the world, ushering in a new era of neural empowerment and digital inclusion.

Broader Impact: Empowering People with Disabilities

Neuralink and similar brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) hold the potential to revolutionize the lives of people with disabilities around the world. By enabling direct communication and control through neural signals, these technologies can restore a level of independence that was once unimaginable for individuals with paralysis or severe motor impairments.

The psychological impact of regaining control over one’s environment and the ability to communicate freely is profound. For many, BCIs can reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness, fostering greater social participation and improving mental health. This increased connection to the world can transform not only daily living but also personal identity and self-worth.

Brad Smith’s journey stands as a powerful example of how such technology offers hope and tangible progress for those affected by ALS and other neurological conditions. His ability to create, communicate, and engage using Neuralink inspires both the disabled community and the broader public.

To fully realize this promise, continued research, ethical development, and a strong emphasis on accessibility are crucial. Ensuring that these innovations reach diverse populations globally will help create a more inclusive future where technology bridges gaps rather than widens them—empowering individuals to live fuller, richer lives.

Conclusion: The Dawn of a New Era in Assistive Technology

Brad Smith’s groundbreaking achievement—creating and editing a video entirely using Neuralink’s brain chip—marks a pivotal moment in assistive technology. His journey demonstrates how brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are no longer science fiction but real tools that can restore communication and independence to people with severe disabilities like ALS.

The fusion of AI and neural interfaces is transforming how we think about interaction, control, and accessibility. By enabling direct brain-to-device communication, Neuralink is breaking barriers that traditional assistive technologies could not overcome, offering faster, more natural ways for users to engage with the world.

While Brad’s success is monumental, it’s just the beginning. As research advances and adoption grows, BCIs hold the promise to radically improve the quality of life for millions living with paralysis and other neurological challenges.

Neuralink’s vision shines a hopeful light on the future—where technology empowers rather than limits, giving individuals with disabilities new ways to connect, create, and thrive in a world built for everyone.

Stay tuned to the latest breakthroughs in Neuralink and brain-computer interface technology—this rapidly evolving field promises to change lives. Share Brad Smith’s inspiring story to help raise awareness about ALS and the transformative potential of assistive tech. If you want to keep up with future advancements and real-world impacts, be sure to subscribe for updates. Have questions or thoughts about brain-computer interfaces or supporting those with ALS? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you and explore this exciting frontier together.