Elon Musk's neurotechnology company, Neuralink, has officially announced the expansion of its human brain chip trials to Great Britain, marking a significant leap in its mission to integrate artificial intelligence with the human brain. This milestone aims to empower individuals suffering from severe paralysis to control both digital interfaces and physical devices using only their thoughts.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on July 31, Neuralink stated:
"It will launch a clinical study in Great Britain to test how its chips can enable patients with severe paralysis to control digital and physical tools with their thoughts."
To conduct the trial, the company has partnered with leading medical institutions including University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle Hospitals.
This strategic collaboration represents one of Neuralink’s first steps toward global trials beyond the U.S., following the progress made in human trials that began in 2024.
Neuralink confirmed:
"Patients living with paralysis due to conditions such as spinal cord injury and a nervous system disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) qualify to participate in the study."
The trial will specifically target individuals with conditions that render them unable to communicate or interact with their surroundings in conventional ways.
Neuralink is rapidly expanding. In its latest funding round in June 2025, the company raised $650 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in its long-term potential. The company, founded in 2016, has now raised about $1.3 billion and is reportedly valued at approximately $9 billion, according to PitchBook data.
The company initially faced regulatory setbacks when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected its human trial application in 2022 due to safety concerns. However, those issues have since been resolved, enabling Neuralink to begin human testing in 2024.
Neuralink shared:
"Five patients with severe paralysis are currently using its device to control digital and physical tools with their thoughts."
These trials represent promising early evidence of the potential of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to revolutionize assistive technology, medical recovery, and human-AI interaction.
Neuralink's expansion into clinical testing in the UK aligns with global trends of increasing interest in neurotechnology. The UK, known for its advanced NHS infrastructure and regulatory support for medical research, presents a robust environment for high-tech clinical experimentation.
Experts believe this move could accelerate international acceptance and regulation of BCIs, which remain a topic of both great excitement and ethical debate.
Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded by Elon Musk in 2016 with the ambitious goal of developing implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The company's mission is twofold: initially, to help individuals with severe neurological conditions and physical disabilities regain autonomy, and in the long term, to create a symbiotic relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.
Neuralink's core technology is a tiny, coin-sized brain implant called "The Link." This device is surgically embedded into the skull, where ultra-fine, flexible "threads" containing thousands of electrodes are meticulously woven into the cerebral cortex by a specialized surgical robot. These threads are designed to read and transmit the electrical signals from individual neurons in real time. The device is powered wirelessly and connects to a digital device, such as a computer or smartphone, via Bluetooth.
The surgical robot is a key innovation, as it can precisely insert these delicate threads, minimizing damage to brain tissue. This precision allows for the implantation of a high-density array of electrodes, which provides a much clearer and more detailed reading of neural activity compared to older BCI technologies that used more rigid probes.
Neuralink's immediate focus is on a medical application. The company aims to restore independence to people with severe paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries or neurodegenerative diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). By translating the user's brain signals into digital commands, The Link allows them to control external devices with their thoughts alone.
Beyond the medical applications, Elon Musk has a more ambitious, long-term vision for Neuralink. He believes that as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, humans risk being left behind. His solution is to create a "symbiosis with AI" by developing a seamless, high-bandwidth connection between the human brain and machines.
In this future, he envisions people being able to enhance their cognitive abilities, communicate telepathically, or even "download" information directly into their brains. This sci-fi-like concept, while generating significant excitement, has also drawn skepticism and ethical concerns from the scientific community.