Neuralink implant recipient shares progress, future plans
Neuralink is designed to help paralysed individuals, allowing control of computers through thought
Noland Arbaugh, the first recipient of a Neuralink brain implant, has provided an update on his experiences with the pioneering technology. Seven months following his surgery, Arbaugh—who has affectionately named his implant "Eve"—shared insights into his journey and ongoing efforts in a recent post on X.
In 2016, Arbaugh, then a student and athlete at Texas, experienced a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. At the time, he was working as a summer camp counselor. Since the accident, Arbaugh has been adjusting to life with full paralysis below his shoulders.
Neuralink, a company focused on developing brain-computer interface technology, received approval last year from US regulators to begin human trials of their brain implants. The primary device used in these trials is called the "Link," which is approximately the size of five stacked coins and implanted into the brain through a surgical procedure.
At Neuralink's facilities, Arbaugh engages in various projects using his implant for about four hours each day. He works on tasks involving body motions to control computer functions such as typing and clicking. Additionally, he practices handwriting by imagining holding a pencil to input characters on a screen. Arbaugh's efforts are aimed at reaching new milestones and improving the overall functionality and user experience of the technology.
In his personal time, Arbaugh leverages his Neuralink implant for academic and creative pursuits. He spends approximately three hours daily learning French and Japanese through various online platforms. He is also refreshing his knowledge of basic math concepts via Peterson Academy in preparation for a potential return to formal education. Arbaugh is an avid reader, exploring works by authors including Victor Hugo, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and Stieg Larsson, and has resumed creative writing with hopes of future publication.
Moreover, Arbaugh uses his implant for Bible study and personal devotion. He is contemplating a return to school with a focus on neuroscience, and aspires to establish a charity, secure employment, and build a home for his parents in the future.
Neuralink's mission is to enhance human capabilities and provide solutions for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and ALS. The company's vision is to enable seamless interaction between humans and artificial intelligence, allowing control of computers and other devices through thought alone.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
