A 29-year-old man named Nolan Arbaugh, who has been paralyzed from the neck down for eight years, recently posted for the first time on X using a Neuralink Telepathy brain chip. The message was written with his thoughts alone, a claim that drew attention from the tech community and beyond. Elon Musk commented on the moment, highlighting the leap in brain-computer communication and the potential for direct mind-to-text interaction that Neuralink is pursuing.
Arbaugh became notable as the first person to compose a post using mind-reading technology. In his post, he included a light-hearted remark about the experience. He noted that his X account seemed to be blocked by the platform because it appeared to be a bot, but he credited Musk and the platform management for restoring access to his page after the issue was recognized and corrected.
Prior to the breakthrough, Arbaugh’s paralysis had limited his ability to interact with digital devices using traditional input methods. The telepathy implant enables him to communicate with a computer without relying on a mouse or keyboard, allowing for timely, natural expression and greater autonomy in online interactions.
The first Neuralink procedure to implant the telepathy neurochip was performed on January 28, 2024. The surgical recovery was rapid and uncomplicated, with discharge within a day and continued follow-up care. Arbaugh has stated that individuals who have the opportunity to undergo such a procedure should not fear the operation, emphasizing a positive outlook based on his own experience and recovery trajectory.
Since adopting the Neuralink chip, Arbaugh has explored how the technology supports interaction with software and entertainment, including strategy games like Civilization VI and chess. These activities illustrate the broader potential for mind-driven interfaces to broaden access to digital media and cognitive tasks for people with severe mobility limitations.