An example of the device, whose size has been compared to a coin and which has “threads” that connect to the brain, is seen here in a photo from the company’s brochure.Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, has presented the first data on the testing of the Blindsight neural implant, designed to restore vision. During the experiments, the device was used on monkeys and allowed them to respond to visual images that do not exist. This was reported by the company’s engineer Joseph O’Doherty at the Neural Interfaces conference, reports Bloomberg. Blindsight stimulates the areas of the brain responsible for visual perception. According to O’Doherty, in two out of three cases, the monkeys turned their eyes toward the intended object that the researchers were trying to “recreate” in their minds. This data was the first public confirmation of the technology, which simulates vision functions. Blindsight is part of Neuralink’s program to create brain-computer interfaces. In the short term, the company plans to use the technology to help people with visual impairments. In the future, the company plans to expand the device’s capabilities to include infrared perception. Blindsight is not currently approved for use in humans. However, Musk has previously said the company hopes to begin human clinical trials this year. Testing in monkeys has been ongoing for several years. O’Doherty says the animals have visual cortexes closer to the surface of the brain, making it easier to access the areas they need. Neuralink is also developing other neural implants, including devices that allow paralyzed patients to control computers with their thoughts. To date, five people have received the implants, Musk said. Three of them will be in 2024, and two in 2025. Some of the participants use the system for up to 60 hours a week. A poster was presented at the conference describing an experiment in which the spinal cord of a monkey was stimulated using a Neuralink implant. As a result, the animal’s muscles began to move. Research in this area is also being conducted by other scientific groups that are studying the possibilities of restoring motor functions through neurostimulation. Neuralink sees its developments as a step toward creating more efficient ways for humans to interact with digital systems. Musk has previously said that such technologies could reduce potential risks associated with the development of artificial intelligence. In parallel, he is developing projects in this area through the company xAI. In the future, Blindsight may be complemented with external devices, such as glasses, that will work in conjunction with the implant. The post Neuralink’s Device Makes You See Things That Aren’t Real appeared first on Anomalien.com.