The man who wants to invade brains

IT sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, or perhaps an outlandish Hollywood movie.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Last week, Elon Musk said the first human had received an implant as part of his venture which aims to embed microchips directly into the brain.

Yes, you read that right, it involves the implanting of a microchip in the brain.

It is the first human trial for Musk's firm, Neuralink, which he founded in 2016, but did not become public knowledge until the following year.

The Tesla and SpaceX founder believes the symbiosis of the human brain and the computer chip could, in the short term, allow paralysed individuals to move limbs or prosthetics, effectively making it possible to walk again.

In a video presentation, he also said it could unlock brain diseases such as Alzheimer's or dementia.

But it is his suggestions of further applications which really boggle the mind, as Musk believes that these implants could eventually allow the melding of the human brain to Artificial Intelligence.