Neuralink is making headlines once again. This time, it’s not just about the futuristic vision of merging human brains with AI. The latest milestone is the second person to receive a Neuralink brain implant and already use the device to play video games – more specifically: Counterstrike 2.
The person allegedly known as Alex can control and interact with the game using only his mind. Previously, he relied on a mouth-controlled controller called a QuadStick when playing first-person shooters, which limited him to either moving or aiming his weapon at any given time. This required him to switch between mouse and keyboard functions during gameplay.
However, with the Neuralink implant, Alex can now aim with the implant and move with the QuadStick at the same time, greatly improving his control and gaming experience. This achievement underscores the rapid advances Neuralink is making in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which aims to bridge the gap between human cognition and digital devices.
Alex plays Counter-Strike 2
Video games often serve as testing grounds for new technologies, from AI algorithms to virtual reality systems. Neuralink’s use of games as a platform to demonstrate its BCI is a strategic move. Counterstrike 2 is known for its fast-paced, competitive gameplay, making it an ideal challenge for the implant to demonstrate its capabilities. If a patient can successfully navigate and compete in such an environment, it suggests that the device could be used for more complex tasks in the future.
The company, backed by Elon Musk, also released a video earlier this year in which the first human patient to have Neuralink’s device implanted in his brain was able to use his thoughts to control a cursor that moves the chess pieces.
Neuralink’s advances are undoubtedly impressive, but they also raise ethical and technical questions. The long-term effects of implanting a device directly into the brain are still unknown, and many experts in the field have raised concerns about the potential for abuse of this technology.
In addition, the technology is still in its infancy. The opportunity to play Counterstrike 2 is a remarkable achievement, but only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Neuralink must continue to refine its BCI technology to address a broader range of neurological problems and ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the implant.
