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2019 International Conference on Computing, Communication, and Intelligent Systems (ICCCIS)
1
Neuralink- An Elon Musk Start-up
Achieve symbiosis with Artificial Intelligence
Abhinav Kulshreshth
Student, B. Tech CSE
Galgotias University
Greater Noida, India
kulshreshthabhinav@gmail.com
Anupam Lakhanpal
Department of Computer Science
Galgotias University
Greater Noida, India
anupam120391@gmail.com
Abstract—As the days are passing by, we come across
new and latest inventions which use Artificial
Intelligence to ease our usage of the devices. This sudden
surge in the usage of AI has increased insecurity among
humans that it can leave us of no use. This increased
insecurity led people to think what can be done to make
our future secure among the robots and artificial
intelligence. And out came the solution, mix both the
intelligences and achieve a symbiosis between human
and AI. To achieve this, we can use the “Neural Lace”
technology as well as Brain-Machine Interface (BMI).
The paper will discuss the use of Brain-Machine
Interface, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network to
achieve symbiosis with AI along with the company that
is making all this possible, Neuralink, which is an Elon
Musk startup which has a vision to cure the insecurity
among us.
Keywords—Artificial Intelligence, Brain-Machine
Interface, Neural Network, Neuralink, Neural Lace,
BrainGate
Introduction
In 1943, a neurologist Warren McCulloch and a
young mathematician Walter Pitts wrote a paper on
how neurons might work; they modelled a simple
neural network with electrical circuits. In 1957, John
von Neumann suggested simple neuron functions by
using telegraph relays and vacuum tubes. Recently,
the studies related to neural networks have taken a
sudden leap and it is being used to heal a person’s
brainly disorders. Neuralink has gone out of the
bounds of current studies in neural network and has
started to not just cure the patients but also connect
them to digital devices and help them use these
devices without the need of using any of their body
parts.
Dr. Abhineet Anand
Department of Computer Science
Chitkara University
Mohali, India
abhineet.mnnit@gmail.com
About Neuralink
A start-up was registered by Elon Musk in 2016 named
Neuralink which remained under the sheets till 2017
when it was revealed to the world. Neuralink as the
name suggests creates a link between the Neurons
inside our brain and a machine (smartphones or
computers). On 16th July 2019, a white paper was
published under the name, “ELON MUSK AND
NEURALINK” which told about what the company
was up to and how will it be possible to create a
general symbiosis between man and a machine or the
artificial intelligence (AI).
Elon Musk in the launch event of the Neuralink told
that the company aims to “understand and treat
brainly disorders” along with “preserving and
enhancing our brain” and “create a well aligned
Figure 1: The Neuralink Logo |Source: Wikipedia
future”. Elon Musk in an interview also talked about
how the company will try to recreate “the Neural
Lace”, a fictional way/method of transferring brain’s
content to a machine and vice-versa.
“We are already a cyborg. We are
so well connected with our phones
and computers that losing a phone
feels like losing a limb.”-ELON
MUSK
2019 International Conference on Computing, Communication, and Intelligent Systems (ICCCIS)
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Brain-Machine Interface (BMI)
Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) or Brain to Machine
Interface (B2M) is an interface through which we can
connect ourselves to any machine which is capable of
reading the inputs from our brain. For this, we need to
have a high bandwidth rate, but we have a very low
bandwidth as we use only two of our thumbs to input
into the machine or the smartphone. Even by using
images, videos and audios we cannot get the same
bandwidth as we can get by transferring directly from
the brain to the machine.
Brain-Machine Interfaces hold the power to help
people with a wide range of clinical disorders such as
dis-functional sensory and motor functions. BMI
hasn’t been widely popular with clinical disorders as
they had a modest number of channels to transfer
signals but Neuralink has taken its first step into
creating a scalable high-bandwidth channel to transfer
the signals using arrays of threads and electrodes. [1]
Natural Neural Network
How our brain works is quite interesting. Neurons are
like the transport system for our thoughts and actions.
Everything we feel, see, sense, touch, taste and think
goes through Neurons for further processing. There is
an estimate of 100 billion neurons in a human brain
which govern the working of the brain.
Figure 2: Neuron and Synapses
Neurons consists of dendrites, cell body (known as
Soma) which contains the nucleus and axon. Axon of
one neuron is connected with Dendrite of another
neuron through Synapsis which contains
Neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are
triggered by electrostatic impulse known as the Action
Potential. When the right kind of impulse is sent
through the synapses, a chain reaction is initiated
1
The Culture is a futuristic interstellar utopian, post-scarcity space
society of humanoids, aliens, and very advanced artificial
intelligence living in socialist habitats spread across the Milky Way
galaxy. [3]
2
Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) results in a glial
reaction, leading eventually to the formation of a glial scar. In this
between the neurons. This is how neurons work and
transfer information.
How Neuralink will use neurons?
Neuralink will setup electrodes which will read those
impulses, amplify them and send them to a machine
which will then work accordingly. These electrodes
support writing also which can help in treatment of
brainly disorders.
Neural Lace
Neural Lace is a science-fictional concept introduced
by Scottish author Iain M. Banks in his series of novels
“The Culture”
1
. Neural Lace is also a Brain-Machine
Interface (BMI), which can help humans compete with
Artificial Intelligence. This Neural Lace technology is
currently being funded by Elon Musk as an effort to
accomplish the same vision which is to make human
brain able to compete with the AI in the future. An idea
of how Neural Lace works can be taken from the
movie Matrix in which one of its character (Neo) can
be seen using a computer to acquire new information
and learn new skills. [2]
Neural Lace is an ultra-thin mesh which will be
implanted inside the skull and will form a body of
electrodes which will be able to monitor the function
of human brain. The ultra-thin mesh is inserted using
a tiny needle which contains rolled up mesh. After the
mesh is implanted inside the brain, it integrates itself
with the human brain and “creates a perfect symbiosis
between human and machine”. [3]
A similar concept is being used by Neuralink to
achieve symbiosis with AI, more of which will be
explained later.
Invasive and Non-invasive
methods
Our blood vessels are jelly-like substance which if
tampered with can cause a brain disorder which in turn
will cause Glial Scar to form which is the body’s way
of repairing the tissues in our brain. Invasive methods
damage the tissues which start the formation of Glial
Scar
2
which can interfere with the transmission of
impulses to the machine. While the non-invasive
methods have the least amount of damage to the brain
environment, axon regeneration fails, and remyelination may also
be unsuccessful. The glial reaction to injury recruits’ microglia,
oligodendrocyte precursors, meningeal cells, astrocytes and stem
cells.
2019 International Conference on Computing, Communication, and Intelligent Systems (ICCCIS)
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tissues which in turn will not influence the
transmission of the signals. [4]
How will it work?
Neuralink will work in five major steps-
• Creation of threads
• Stitching of threads into the tissues
• Reading the signals and cleaning them
• Transmission of signals to amplifier
• Amplification of signals and
transmission to the machine
As of now the amplification and transmission of
the signals happen via a USB-C port which is
installed on a chip which is fitted into the brain of
the subject (patient) along with a sensory device.
Threads
“Threads” are the ultra-thin, flexible polymer which
will contain the electrodes and will transfer the
information and signals to the transmitter. These
threads (4-6 µm) are thinner than a human hair (17
µm) and have a length of 20 µm. An array will contain
96 threads which will have 32 independent electrodes
which means that an array of threads contains 3,072
electrodes which makes transfer of high-volume of
data possible with just one array. A human brain also
shifts its shape which can cause damage to these
threads, but the flexible nature of these threads makes
them shift accordingly.
Figure 3: Threads are smaller than a finger |Source:
Neuralink
But with all the advantages, there lies a disadvantage
i.e. these threads are very delicate and can break if not
stitched carefully. Just for that purpose, Neuralink has
created a Robot which can automatically insert the
threads into the brain causing very less amount of
damage to the tissues.
3
A stereoscope is a device for viewing a stereoscopic pair
of separate images, depicting left-eye and right-eye views of
the same scene, as a single three-dimensional image.
Robot
The “Robot” is designed with a sole purpose of
inserting the threads in least invasive manner. The
Robot consists of seven parts-
a) Loaded needle pincher cartridge.
b) Low-force contact brain position sensor.
c) Light modules with multiple independent
wavelengths.
d) Needle motor.
e) One of four cameras focused on the needle
during insertion.
f) Camera with wide angle view of surgical
field.
g) Stereoscopic
3
cameras.
Figure 4: All the parts of the automatic Insertion Robot
|Source: Neuralink
Neuralink has developed a robotic insertion approach
for inserting flexible probes (or threads), allowing fast
and reliable insertion of large numbers of threads
targeted to avoid vasculature and record from
dispersed brain regions. [1]
For the insertion, the Robot has a “needle pincher”
assembly which inserts the thread, stitches it and
releases it rapidly.
Figure 5: The size of needle and the pincher compared to a
penny |Source: Neuralink
To guide the needle, the Robot has four camera which
are focused on the needle, the field of insertion, and
stereoscopy.
2019 International Conference on Computing, Communication, and Intelligent Systems (ICCCIS)
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Electronics
The electronics are built around Neuralink’s custom
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which
consists of 256 individually programmable amplifiers
(analog pixels), on-chip analog-to-digital converters
(ADCs), and peripheral control circuitry for
serializing the digitized outputs. [1]
Figure 6:Sensor device: A- ASIC, B-Threads, C- Titanium
enclosure (without lid), D- USB-C port for power and data
transmission |Source: Neuralink
“The Neuralink ASIC forms the core of a modular
recording platform that allows for easy replacement of
constitutive parts for research and development
purposes. In the systems discussed here, several
ASICs are integrated into a standard printed circuit
board (PCB) using flip-chip integration. Each system
consists of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA);
real-time temperature, accelerometer, and
magnetometer sensors; and a single USB-C connector
for full-bandwidth data transfer. The systems are
packaged in titanium cases which are coated with
parylene-c, which serves as a moisture barrier to
prevent fluid ingress and prolong functional lifetime.”
[1]
Projects in working at Neuralink
Figure 7: N1 sensors implanted inside the skull along with
the external device |Source: Neuralink
• Neuralink uses a USB-C port as a wired
medium to provide power and to transfer the
data. But for the future it plans on to provide
a wireless method for the same. This wireless
goal will be achieved by something
Neuralink calls as “N1 sensors”. “Four of
these N1 sensors will be placed inside our
skull (three in motor areas and one in
somatosensory area). The sensors will
connect wirelessly to an external device
mounted behind our ear which can connect to
iPhones through an app.”, said Max Hodak,
President of Neuralink, at the Introductory
Presentation for Neuralink.
• Neuralink also plans to use laser technology
(like the laser eye surgery) to get through the
skull as opposed to drilling holes in it which
they are performing now. It will also help in
decreasing the damage to the tissues.
Present and Future
At present the company is using this technology to
serve two purposes which are-
• As a research project for rodents and Lab
Rats
• As a prototype project for human clinical
implants
As of now the device is being used on Lab Rats to
analyse the results and make refinements in the device
to read the correct input. As opposed to the previous
projects, Neuralink uses ultra-thin and flexible threads
which are much more capable for a long-life and a
greater volume of data transferring. Even the
composition of the material used is biocompatible so
is non-harmful for the brain. [1]
Elon Musk also stated that the Neuralink will be
ready for the first patient by the end of next year
i.e. 2020. [5]
The vision of the company is to achieve symbiosis
with AI. Elon Musk has stated his fear of an eventual
decline in importance of a human when AI will itself
become capable of simulating all of our brainly
functions. To not let that happen, humans must merge
with artificial intelligence in order to become a more
capable being. And according to Elon Musk, to save
humanity’s future, we must see the importance of the
Brain Machine Interfaces (BMI).
Ethical or not
Humans have always been trying to move forward
without thinking of the consequences. Over the course
of time, it has become very evident that meddling in a
natural process can cause a huge amount of
destruction. There are processes that have been going
2019 International Conference on Computing, Communication, and Intelligent Systems (ICCCIS)
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on for ages and interfering with them can cause
repercussions which can be very harmful if gone
wrong.
Such is in the case of human body. We have always
been adapting ourselves to the environment. A kid of
today knows how to use a smartphone better than a
computer professional. Thinking that we can’t adapt to
the increasing artificial intelligence around ourselves
can be just a fear which we can overcome if we see
what changes the human brain has gone through to
adapt to the changes around us. So, we can probably
say that even though we as of now can’t become as
intelligent or powerful as Artificial Intelligent, but it is
safe to say that the future generation can be.
“Being the creator of artificial intelligence, we
shouldn’t hold ourselves lowly than the creation.”
Because even though it is learning new things, we are
the one who made it and it will always remain as a
helper to us if used in a constructive way.
Our body even has a healing mechanism which can be
accelerated but just using this device can be a bit
uncomfortable for the patient and/or can make the
situation worse.
Inserting a computer chip inside the brain might sound
something fancy but is it that worthy to be drilled for
(as of now, laser to be introduced later). Even to get
yourself drilled and have a chip inserted you might
need to pay a large amount. For all the affluent
personalities, it might become an option if they face
some rare brain disorder or neural disorder, but still
getting drilled cannot be worth anything.
Meddling or interfering in any process is always
devastating and shouldn’t be done but trying a new
technology for medical purposes can be beneficial for
the human race.
Other BMI projects
BrainGate
BrainGate is another BMI initially developed by
Brown University in 2006. It was even used on a
patient named Matthew Nagle. Nagle had a spinal cord
paralysis and was the first person to get the brain
implant and control a computer using his mind. [6]
BrainGate used Utah Array which consists of series of
stiff needles that allows for up to 128 electrodes
channels which can transfer less volume of data when
compared to Neuralink’s BMI. The stiffness of the
needles could damage them when the brain shifts its
shape which hinders in long-term functionality. [6]
Future for BMI and Neuralink
This technology is very young at this stage and can
have a bright future depending upon how well it is
being received by the consumers. The vision of this
technology can be fulfilled if it works properly without
glitching otherwise it can become a disaster which
wouldn’t create a great image. For it to work, the
technology must become reliable and shouldn’t have a
price which could be paid by some affluent persons.
Neuralink can be one of the biggest
inventions/researches of the century if everything goes
right as their mission as well as vision can be felt by
most of us. The need of time will only decide.
References
[1] Department of Physiology and MRC Cambridge
Centre for Brain Repair, U. o. (1999,
August). The glial scar and central nervous
system repair. Retrieved from NCBI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1048
3914
[2] Fourtané, S. (2018, 09 02). Neuralink: How the
Human Brain Will Download Directly from a
Computer. Retrieved from Interesting
Engineering:
https://interestingengineering.com/neuralink
-how-the-human-brain-will-download-
directly-from-a-computer
[3] Lana Wachowski, L. W. (Director). (1999). The
Matrix [Motion Picture].
[4] Lopatto, E. (2019, June 16). Elon Musk unveils
Neuralink’s plans for brain-reading
‘threads’ and a robot to insert them.
Retrieved from The Verge:
https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/16/20697
123/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-reading-
thread-robot
[5] Neuralink. (2019, July 16). Neuralink Launch
Event. United States: Neuralink.
[6] Neuralink, E. M. (2019). An integrated brain-
machine interface platform. Elon Musk and
Neuralink.
“I don’t think artificial intelligence is a
threat, or something terrible, and we are
smart enough to learn that.”-JACK MA
