Elon Musk Says Brain Chip Allows Monkey To Play Video Games With Its Mind

Elon Musk said that one of his startups has created an implantable brain chip that lets a monkey play video games with its mind. The billionaire discussed Neuralink's efforts to build a chip that allows humans to control a computer just by thinking during an interview streamed on the social media app Clubhouse. He said he hopes the advancements will allow paralyzed people to use computers.

Musk said the company has created a prototype chip that is about the size of a coin. The current version is a work in progress and requires wires sticking out of the head for it to work.

"There are primitive versions of this device with wires sticking out of your head, but it's like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires that go into your brain," he said.

Musk told listeners that Neuralink has begun testing the device on a monkey.

"We've already got a monkey with a wireless implant in their skull, and the tiny wires, who can play video games using his mind," Musk said.

Musk assured listeners that the monkey was not hurt and is doing well with the chip implanted in its brain.

"You can't see where the implant is, and he's a happy monkey. We have the nicest monkey facilities in the world. We want them to play mind-Pong with each other."

He added that when a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector showed up, she was impressed with how well the facility was treating the monkeys in its care.

"When the USDA came through and inspected our facilities, our monkey facilities, she said it was like the nicest monkey facilities she's ever seen in her entire career, just FYI. We went the extra mile for the monkeys," Musk said.

Musk did not discuss how the implant works but said that Neuralink will provide more detailed information in the coming months.

Photo: Getty Images