Skip to content
International News, Medical Health Aged Care

Elon Musk’s brain-implant company, Neuralink, is misleading on its promises: RMIT expert.

RMIT University 2 mins read

Professor Dinesh Kumar, Professor, School of Engineering  

Topics: Elon Musk, Neuralink, brain-computer interface, neural tissues, medical advancement 

“Although it is creating a step in the right direction for brain-computer interface (BCI) advancement, Neuralink is making promises that are simply misleading. 

“In terms of technology, Neuralink has gone further than others. The biggest selling point for them is their medical procedure, essentially having a CED scan and robotic surgery built into one.  

"It has also developed a very accurate electrode placement system that won’t compromise blood flow while injecting 1,000 electrodes into the brain. 

“The medical procedure requires extensive surgery with a small part of the skull being cut open and the electronic chip being placed inside. But there are several problems with this.  

“Firstly, infection. Although any surgery has a risk of infection, this is especially worrisome as it is cutting the skull open.  

“But the biggest problem is that the brain has a natural tendency to shut down neurons after there is a change in its structure.  

“The surgery would cause trauma and change the brain’s neurons’ behaviours and positions. 

“Furthermore, there are a lot of extreme risks such as scarring of the neural tissues or interfering with the sensory and motor pathways.  

“There are too many unknowns, and it is very likely than not something will change inside the brain of the user. 

“Certainly, a great development but based on decades of work already done. Researchers in other parts of the globe have been working on such technology for decades.  

“Elon Musk is so confident in the devices’ safety that he would be willing to implant it in his own children. He envisions both disabled and healthy individuals getting these surgical implants. 

“Additionally, Musk mentioned the device could solve a range of conditions such as obesity, depression and schizophrenia. Even going as far as saying it can enable web browsing and telepathy. 

“But it is worth noting that Neuralink is FDA-approved for a clinical trial of the device, not for commercial use. Which is very different.  

“The surgery should only be operated for extreme cases such as individuals who has motor neuron diseases or full paralysis. Not healthy ones.  

“Elon Musk knows how to sell things, and this might be his way to gain further funding. By selling his big vision.  

“I have a suspicion that these clinical trials will only be able to record data that will eventually lead to a commercial product in a few decades. 

“As a scientist, it is a welcome move. But it is simply over-hyped. Neuralink paints itself as the final solution while it still has a long way to go before it can materialise Elon Musk’s promises.” 

Professor Dinesh Kumar is a biomedical signals expert in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, Melbourne. His research focuses on biomedical engineering, bio-signal processing and intelligent systems. He has gained international media coverage for his work.  


Contact details:

Interviews: Dinesh Kumar, 0404 716 543 or dinesh.kumar@rmit.edu.au  

 

General media enquiries: RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

More from this category

  • Environment, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 16:15
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

ILLAWARRA MAN FINED $3000 FOR ILLEGAL SOLARIUM OPERATIONS

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a Wollongong man two penalty notices—each carrying the maximum fine of $1500—for allegedly operating an illegal solarium business in the Illawarra region. An investigation launched by the NSW EPA last November revealed the man was providing covert solarium services out of two residential properties in West Wollongong and Warrawong, where he reportedly charged individuals $35 for 35 minutes of tanning bed use. In NSW, charging a fee for solarium use has been illegal since 2014 due to the significant health risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including an increased risk of skin…

  • Contains:
  • Legal, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 14:50
Slater and Gordon

Asbestos warning for residents affected by Queensland floods

As the clean-up continues across Queensland after widespread flooding, residents are being urged to be cautious of asbestos. Hannah Murray, Associate in Dust Diseases and Asbestos at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, warns that the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive terminal cancer for which there is no cure. “There’s a real concern that residents may start the clean-up process without taking precautions. "The material will already be disturbed from the flood damaged, and that increases the chance and danger of breathing in the deadly fibres,” Ms Murray said. In Australia a staggering 1 in 3…

  • Contains:
  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 14:32
The Florey

Florey dementia research to receive major donation in Countess Krasicki v Siecin’s memory

Lady Primrose Potter, AC, CMRI has today announced a generous $1 million donation to The Florey in honour of her daughter, Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 70. Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki V Siecin had been living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – a type of dementia more commonly affecting adults in their 50s or 60s. "My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia – a heart-wrenching disease,” said Lady Potter. “Like other forms of dementia, FTD is challenging for carers and family members. At each visit,…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.