Nonverbal ALS Patient Edits Video Using Neuralink

Brad Smith, a nonverbal ALS patient, is the first person with his condition to use a Neuralink brain-computer interface to edit and narrate a YouTube video using only his brain signals, marking a major neurotechnology breakthrough. The Neuralink implant, with over 1,000 electrodes in his motor cortex, interprets intended movements, enabling Smith to control a computer cursor by imagining moving his tongue or clenching his jaw. Prior to the implant, Smith relied on an eye-tracking device that worked only in certain conditions. Artificial intelligence generated a synthetic version of his pre-illness voice for video narration. Smith's case, along with reports of previous Neuralink patients regaining digital control after paralysis, highlights the transformative potential of BCI technologies for those with severe paralysis. Although the system is not yet fast enough for real-time conversation, Smith's experience offers hope for greater independence and quality of life for people with neurodegenerative diseases.