Elon Musk’s start-up Neuralink is recruiting participants for its first human trial of brain-implant technology. The company aims to connect human brains to computers and is specifically targeting individuals with paralysis. The trial will involve the implantation of a brain-computer interface (BCI) that will enable participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts. While Neuralink has received FDA approval for the trial, other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans. Neuralink’s implant consists of 64 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement intention. The brain signals will be wirelessly transmitted to an app that decodes the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial. While Neuralink has the advantage of a robot-assisted implantation procedure, it remains to be seen how their method compares to other companies in terms of accuracy and reliability over time.

Original news source: Musk start-up Neuralink seeks people for brain-implant trial (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to write a summary of the article in their own words, focusing on the main points. After they have finished, have each group share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class to form pairs or small groups. Assign each group a specific question related to the article, such as “Do you think brain-implant technology is a positive development?” or “Should companies be allowed to implant devices in human brains?” Give the groups a few minutes to discuss their opinions and come up with reasons to support their stance. Then, have each group present their opinions to the class and facilitate a discussion.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil. Instruct them to draw a sketch or diagram that represents the concept of brain-implant technology as described in the article. After they have finished, ask each student to present their sketch to the class, explaining their interpretation and any key details they included.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article, such as “brain-computer interface,” “implantation,” or “quadriplegia.” Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and be given a vocabulary word. They must then draw a picture on the board to represent the word, while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Repeat with different students and vocabulary words until all words have been used.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to brainstorm the advantages or benefits of brain-implant technology, while the other group brainstorms the disadvantages or drawbacks. Give the groups a few minutes to come up with their lists. Then, have each group share their ideas with the class and facilitate a discussion about the pros and cons of this technology.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the goal of Neuralink’s first human trial?
2. Who is Neuralink specifically targeting for this trial?
3. What will the brain-computer interface (BCI) enable participants to do?
4. Has Neuralink received FDA approval for the trial?
5. How many flexible threads are included in Neuralink’s implant?
6. Where are the threads placed in the brain?
7. Who are the potential candidates for the trial?
8. How does Neuralink’s implantation procedure differ from other companies?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Elon Musk’s start-up (1)______ is recruiting participants for its (2)______ (3)______ trial of brain-implant technology. The (4)______ aims to connect human brains to computers and is specifically targeting individuals with paralysis. The trial will involve the implantation of a brain-computer (5)______ (BCI) that will enable participants to control a computer (6)______ or type using their thoughts. While Neuralink has (7)______ FDA (8)______ for the trial, other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans. Neuralink’s implant consists of 64 flexible (9)______ that are placed on a part of the (10)______ responsible for (11)______ intention. The brain signals will be wirelessly transmitted to an app that (12)______ the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may (13)______ for the trial. While Neuralink has the advantage of a robot-assisted implantation (14)______, it remains to be seen how their method (15)______ to (16)______ companies in terms of accuracy and reliability over time.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about the idea of connecting human brains to computers?
2. How would you feel if you could control a computer cursor or type using only your thoughts?
3. Do you think brain-implant technology has the potential to greatly improve the lives of individuals with paralysis?
4. Why do you think Neuralink is specifically targeting individuals with paralysis for their first human trial?
5. What is a brain-computer interface (BCI) and how do you think it works?
6. Do you think it is ethical to implant devices into the human brain for the purpose of connecting it to computers? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the FDA approval for Neuralink’s trial will impact the future of brain-implant technology?
8. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of using brain-implant technology?
9. How do you think Neuralink’s implant, with its 64 flexible threads, compares to other companies’ devices in terms of accuracy and reliability?
10. Would you be willing to participate in a trial for brain-implant technology? Why or why not?
11. How do you think this technology could be used in fields other than assisting individuals with paralysis?
12. Do you think brain-implant technology could eventually lead to a merging of humans and machines? Why or why not?
13. How do you think society would change if brain-implant technology became widely available?
14. Do you think there are any potential risks or dangers associated with brain-implant technology? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the development of brain-implant technology will impact the future of medical science?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Neuralink
2. participants
3. brain-implant
4. paralysis
5. trial
6. brain-computer interface
7. FDA approval
8. implantation

Meanings:
(a) A system that allows the brain to communicate with a computer
(b) Individuals who are involved in the study or experiment
(c) Elon Musk’s start-up company specializing in brain-implant technology
(d) The process of surgically placing an object in the body
(e) A device that is surgically placed in the brain
(f) Official authorization from the Food and Drug Administration
(g) The condition of being unable to move or control certain muscles
(h) A scientific study or experiment conducted to test a hypothesis
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main goal of Neuralink’s human trial?
(a) To connect human brains to computers
(b) To study brain signals in paralyzed individuals
(c) To develop a new type of brain implant
(d) To test the accuracy and reliability of BCI devices

2. How many flexible threads are included in Neuralink’s brain implant?
(a) 32
(b) 64
(c) 128
(d) 256

3. What can participants in the trial control using their thoughts?
(a) Their brain signals
(b) The implantation procedure
(c) Other participants’ thoughts
(d) A computer cursor or typing

4. Which individuals are specifically targeted for Neuralink’s trial?
(a) Those with ALS
(b) Those with quadriplegia or ALS
(c) Those with movement intention
(d) Those with paralysis

5. What does Neuralink’s brain implant transmit wirelessly to an app?
(a) Thoughts
(b) Movement intention
(c) Brain signals
(d) Implantation procedure data

6. What advantage does Neuralink have over other companies in terms of implantation?
(a) Robot-assisted procedure
(b) FDA approval
(c) 64 flexible threads
(d) Wireless transmission

7. What remains to be seen about Neuralink’s method?
(a) How many participants will qualify for the trial
(b) How accurate and reliable it is over time
(c) How the brain implant is manufactured
(d) How the app decodes brain signals

8. Which of the following has already implanted BCI devices in humans?
(a) Neuralink
(b) FDA
(c) Other companies
(d) Paralyzed individuals

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans.
2. Neuralink has received FDA approval for the trial.
3. Neuralink’s implant consists of 64 inflexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement intention.
4. Elon Musk’s start-up Neuralink is not recruiting participants for its first human trial of brain-implant technology.
5. Neuralink aims to disconnect human brains from computers and is specifically targeting individuals without paralysis.
6. People with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial.
7. The trial will not involve the implantation of a brain-computer interface (BCI) that will enable participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts.
8. The brain signals will be wirelessly transmitted to an app that decodes the intended movements.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the goal of Neuralink’s first human trial of brain-implant technology?
2. Who is Neuralink specifically targeting for this trial?
3. How does Neuralink’s brain-implant technology work?
4. What conditions make someone eligible to participate in the trial?
5. How does Neuralink’s method of implantation compare to other companies in terms of accuracy and reliability?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The goal of Neuralink’s first human trial is to connect human brains to computers using brain-implant technology.
2. Neuralink is specifically targeting individuals with paralysis for this trial.
3. The brain-computer interface (BCI) will enable participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts.
4. Yes, Neuralink has received FDA approval for the trial.
5. Neuralink’s implant consists of 64 flexible threads.
6. The threads are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement intention.
7. People with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial.
8. Neuralink’s implantation procedure has the advantage of being robot-assisted, which sets it apart from other companies.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Neuralink
(2) first
(3) human
(4) company
(5) interface
(6) cursor
(7) received
(8) approval
(9) threads
(10) brain
(11) movement
(12) decodes
(13) qualify
(14) procedure
(15) compares
(16) other
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Neuralink
Answer: (c) Elon Musk’s start-up company specializing in brain-implant technology

2. participants
Answer: (b) Individuals who are involved in the study or experiment

3. brain-implant
Answer: (e) A device that is surgically placed in the brain

4. paralysis
Answer: (g) The condition of being unable to move or control certain muscles

5. trial
Answer: (h) A scientific study or experiment conducted to test a hypothesis

6. brain-computer interface
Answer: (a) A system that allows the brain to communicate with a computer

7. FDA approval
Answer: (f) Official authorization from the Food and Drug Administration

8. implantation
Answer: (d) The process of surgically placing an object in the body
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main goal of Neuralink’s human trial?
Answer: (a) To connect human brains to computers

2. How many flexible threads are included in Neuralink’s brain implant?
Answer: (b) 64

3. What can participants in the trial control using their thoughts?
Answer: (d) A computer cursor or typing

4. Which individuals are specifically targeted for Neuralink’s trial?
Answer: (d) Those with paralysis

5. What does Neuralink’s brain implant transmit wirelessly to an app?
Answer: (c) Brain signals

6. What advantage does Neuralink have over other companies in terms of implantation?
Answer: (a) Robot-assisted procedure

7. What remains to be seen about Neuralink’s method?
Answer: (b) How accurate and reliable it is over time

8. Which of the following has already implanted BCI devices in humans?
Answer: (c) Other companies
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans. (Answer: True)
2. Neuralink has received FDA approval for the trial. (Answer: True)
3. Neuralink’s implant consists of 64 inflexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement intention. (Answer: False)
4. Elon Musk’s start-up Neuralink is not recruiting participants for its first human trial of brain-implant technology. (Answer: False)
5. Neuralink aims to disconnect human brains from computers and is specifically targeting individuals without paralysis. (Answer: False)
6. People with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial. (Answer: True)
7. The trial will not involve the implantation of a brain-computer interface (BCI) that will enable participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts. (Answer: False)
8. The brain signals will be wirelessly transmitted to an app that decodes the intended movements. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧