First human patient to receive a Neuralink brain implant used it to stay up all night playing Civilization 6

First human patient to receive a Neuralink brain implant used it to stay up all night playing Civilization 6, per IGN.

The first human to receive a Neuralink brain implant has shared updates on his recovery and experience with the experimental technology, which has significantly enhanced his freedom and autonomy. This includes being able to stay up all night playing Sid Meier's Civilization 6.

Neuralink's co-founder Elon Musk announced on X in January that the company had successfully implanted a brain-computer interface in a human patient, who was reported to be "recovering well" after the surgery. Musk also mentioned that the implant had shown promising functionality, detecting a notable neuron spike. In a follow-up update in February, Musk stated that the patient had seemingly fully recovered and was able to control a computer cursor using only his thoughts.

On March 20, Neuralink shared a nine-minute livestream on X featuring Noland Arbaugh, the 29-year-old recipient of the brain implant, demonstrating its capabilities by playing digital chess. Arbaugh, who is a complete quadriplegic due to a spinal injury from a diving accident eight years ago, expressed his desire to participate in the trial because he believed it could have a significant impact.

Arbaugh described the experience of using the Neuralink technology to control the cursor as similar to using the Force, stating that he could move the cursor wherever he wanted just by staring at the screen. He demonstrated his ability to control the cursor to play chess and pause music.

During the livestream, Arbaugh shared that the implant had given him the freedom to stay up all night playing Sid Meier's Civilization 6, something he would not have been able to do before the surgery. He expressed his enthusiasm for the technology, describing the experience as "awesome."