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In an astonishing development, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has announced the preliminary findings of its Blindsight brain implant — a device that can trigger visual perception even in the absence of sight. The chip demonstrated on a monkey can trick the brain into "seeing" certain stimuli, which marks significant progress towards sight restoration in blind people and, ultimately, the possibility of superhuman vision. The update was presented by Neuralink engineer Joseph O’Doherty during the Neural Interfaces Conference. Although still in animal testing stages, Musk claims human trials for Blindsight could potentially start within this year. What is the objective? A blendable technology that not only enhances human capabilities but redefines vision as we know it.

What Is Neuralink’s Blindsight Chip?

A brain-computer interface (BCI) which acts as an eye as neural structures responsible for visual perception are stimulated.

  • Stimulates the visual cortex to simulate visual input.
  • It was tested on monkeys who displayed eye movements toward imaginary targets to a degree of 66 per cent.
  • The initial goal was to treat blindness, and subsequently, expand perception to include non-visible ranges such as infrared.

Monkey Tests Show Promising Results

As O’Doherty puts it:

  • He witnessed the restimulation of the monkey’s visual system.
  • It would shift its gaze as if responding to stimuli present in the environment, although nothing was there.
  • This demonstrates that the brain can be deceived into forming perceptual constructs devoid of bodily inputs.

Human trials have not been conducted yet, but this preliminary evidence suggests the device may not work as well in people, but it does support the basic principle.

Human Trials and Use Cases

Neuralink has additional goals concerning its implant technologies:

  • Currently, five people have received Neuralink implants, with three surgeries planned for 2024 and two in 2025.
  • These individuals, who include some paralysed patients, are already using the system for device control through thought for up to 60 hours per week.
  • Translational research in non-human primates suggests that spinal cord stimulation through the implant may restore muscle activity.

O’Doherty argues that the same neural circuitry and surgical techniques could easily be used in people with Blindsight.

Vision for the Future: Human Augmentation

Musk foresees a future in which Blindsight is coupled with smart glasses, creating an all-encompassing system for both restorative and augmented reality vision:

Possible uses:

  • Enabling the visually impaired to “see”
  • Augmented vision capabilities, including infrared or night vision
  • Enhanced bandwidth for human-computer communication

Musk has also stated this is part of his broader mission of aiding humans to keep pace with AI technologies, in sync with his work at xAI Corp.

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Why Monkeys First?

Monkeys as test subjects are convenient because the visual cortex is relatively shallow in proximity to the surface of the brain. Human trials, which are more surgically complicated, will be managed by Neuralink’s robotic surgeon, designed for precision work.

Final Thoughts

Neuralink’s Blindsight system incorporates one of the most audacious unions of neuroscience and AI to date. While the technology is still in preclinical phases, the successful trials on monkeys suggest that vision-controlled interfaces are no longer in the realm of science fiction. If achieved in scalable human systems, it stands to transform our understanding of blindness, perception, and the boundaries of human potential.