Entrepreneur Elon Musk had announced that the brain chip developed by his company, Neuralink, would begin testing on humans in 2023. However, the plans were postponed in the face of the rejection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which considered that there are still many unanswered questions before the company can begin its tests.

Neuralink is working on projects to integrate human and artificial intelligence, arguing that this will lead to the democratization of this technology. The company’s first goals with the brain chip are that it will allow disabled patients to restore their sight, speech and mobility.

One of the chip’s sensitive points, according to the FDA, is the possibility that its wires could migrate to other areas of the brain, potentially damaging brain function in several areas and rupturing blood vessels. Another point to watch out for is that if the component’s lithium batteries, which can be charged remotely, present malfunction, this could damage brain tissue.

The chip developed by Neuralink measures 4 mm by 4 mm and has 1,024 electrodes with five micrometers thick each. The micro size facilitates implantation and allows the interface between the human brain and machines, which should make it possible to control personal devices through the mind.

To overcome the challenges of implanting the chip in the human brain, which is quite complex, Musk announced that they have developed a surgical robot so that the procedure can be performed safely. The company also announced the evolution of animal testing, involving pigs and monkeys.

However, everything indicates that the process will not be as agile as the ambitious goals of Elon Musk’s company. Regulatory bodies are not obstacles in the journey of innovation, as the businessman accuses, but rather guardians of ethics and competent limiters in the complex issues surrounding the topic.