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MIND GAMES

Elon Musk wants to connect your BRAIN to a computer this year as ‘awesome’ Neuralink mind-chip prepares to launch

ELON Musk has tweeted that his brain-computer chip company Neuralink is working on an "awesome" version of the device.

The kooky billionaire believes his brain interface tech will turn humans into a genius super race.

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Musk has been has been developing the technology, called Neuralink, because he thinks humans must become one with machines in order to survive being replaced by artificial intelligence.

His plan to "save the human race" involves wiring computer chips into our minds to merge us with artificial intelligence.

Last July, Neuralink revealed plans to use lasers to shoot holes in skulls and feed threads of electrodes into the human brain.

It declared this was a potential way of connecting the human brain to machines.

The firm says its brain chips (pictured) will give people hyper intelligence
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The firm says its brain chips (pictured) will give people hyper intelligenceCredit: Neuralink
Tiny threads (pictured) thinner than a human hair will be implanted into the brain
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Tiny threads (pictured) thinner than a human hair will be implanted into the brainCredit: Neuralink

Musk has previously claimed that the updated version of Neuralink may be "in a human as soon as this year".

A concept design of Musk's updated vision has not yet been revealed, nor do we know if it will even work.

However, Musk is optimistic and thinks the device could even be used to "restore brain and motor functions".

Threads will be needled into people's brains using this terrifying machine
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Threads will be needled into people's brains using this terrifying machineCredit: Neuralink
Neuralink showed off a concept image of a smartphone app for its brain implants
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Neuralink showed off a concept image of a smartphone app for its brain implantsCredit: Neuralink

On its website, the company boasts that it is developing "ultra high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers".

The technology isn't just intended for creating a super human cyborg race though.

Musk has said Neuralink will first focus on medical applications, such as tackling the effects of brain diseases like epilepsy.

Here are some of the threads next to a human finger for scale
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Here are some of the threads next to a human finger for scaleCredit: Neuralink

After this, the brain chips will be updated to develop a "symbiotic relationship" between AI and humanity.

Ultimately, Musk thinks that implanted chips are what will protect humans from becoming an endangered species.

Test chips have already been implanted into rats (pictured) and monkeys
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Test chips have already been implanted into rats (pictured) and monkeysCredit: Neuralink
Neuralink plans to hook your brain up to a computer. Pictured is a concept image showing what the implant could look like
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Neuralink plans to hook your brain up to a computer. Pictured is a concept image showing what the implant could look likeCredit: Neuralink

What is Neuralink?

Here's everything you need to know...

  • Neuralink is a project that aims to embed computer chips in people's brains
  • The idea is to give humans hyper-intelligence by merging them with artificial intelligence
  • Tiny threads thinner than a human hair would pump information into your noggin
  • It would work a bit like an internet cable, transmitting data in and out at high speeds
  • As well as making us smarter, the project promises to merge us with computers and phones
  • That means you could control your gizmos with your brain
  • Neuralink is bankrolled by billionaire entrepeneur Elon Musk
  • He's previously said the tech could save us from a machine uprising in future
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In other news, Elon Musk has vowed to send a million people to Mars by 2050.

The billionaire recently launched a rocket containing 60 Starlink satellites into space.

And, a Japanese billionaire has abandoned his search for a girlfriend to take with him on a private trip to the Moon.

What are your thoughts on brain computer chips? Let us know in the comments...

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