It was a monumental moment in technology and medicine when brain chip startup Neuralink announced that its device had been successfully implanted into a human patient. According to the company’s famous founder, Elon Musk, the patient who had surgery on Sunday was reported to be in good condition.

Elon Musk shared the news on social media earlier today.

This leap forward is not only a testament to Neuralink’s ambitions, but also marks a major milestone in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCI). Last year’s FDA approval of human trials set the stage for this milestone. The main goal of these tests is bold but also inspiring: to enable paralyzed patients to control digital interfaces, such as computer cursors or keyboards, using only their thoughts.

The procedure, performed with precision by the robotic surgeon, involves placing the implant in the part of the brain that regulates the intention of movements. The implant’s ultra-thin threads are designed to receive nerve signals and turn thought into action in the digital domain. The company called its first product “Telepathy,” a fitting moniker for a technology that seems straight out of science fiction.

Despite the optimism surrounding this development, it is important to acknowledge the scrutiny Neuralink faces. Concerns have been raised about the safety protocols the company uses, especially in light of a fine imposed by the US Department of Transportation for misuse of hazardous materials. Most importantly, a group of lawmakers called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate possible misrepresentations by Musk about the safety of Neuralink technology after reports of adverse effects in animal testing.