China Enters the Brain Chip Race: Competition for Neuralink?
China has officially entered the global race to develop brain chips, becoming the second country after the United States to launch human clinical trials of invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCI - Brain-Computer Interface). This groundbreaking step represents a significant milestone in neurotechnology and signals a new era in the medical use of artificial intelligence.
The Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is leading these revolutionary clinical trials in collaboration with the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface Clinical Trials and Translation, Fudan University’s Huashan Hospital, and industry partners. This coordinated collaboration between academic institutions and hospitals demonstrates China’s serious approach to this technology.
First Patient and Incredible Results
The first patient to receive a Chinese brain chip implant was a man who lost all four limbs in an electrical accident and became quadriplegic. In March 2024, ultra-soft neural electrodes were implanted through a small opening in his skull to monitor brain signals directly from the motor cortex. Remarkably, just two to three weeks after the surgery, the patient was able to control a computer, play racing games, and even play chess using only his thoughts, with performance comparable to that of a typical computer touchpad user.
The flexibility of the implanted electrodes is a key innovation of this technology. Thanks to their softness, they do not trigger an immune response in the body, making them viable for long-term use. The research team hopes that the device will eventually allow users to control robotic limbs or artificial intelligence systems directly with their thoughts. No infections or electrode failures were reported during the early phase of the trials, confirming the safety demonstrated in previous studies on monkeys.
Comparison with U.S. Competitor Neuralink
Meanwhile, in the United States, Elon Musk’s company Neuralink is conducting its own trials, currently focused primarily on helping people with paralysis control computers. Musk claims that the technology could go much further—potentially enhancing brain capabilities or even allowing people to "merge" with artificial intelligence. Neuralink has raised $650 million to expand testing worldwide and plans to roll out its technology globally.
However, the Chinese laboratory claims that its version is smaller and more flexible than Neuralink’s and could reach the market as early as 2028, initially as a medical tool intended for people with amputations or spinal cord injuries. This competition between Chinese and American developers is creating a healthy environment for rapid technological progress in this field.
Massive Expansion and Future Plans
2024 was a record year for brain chips in China. A total of 31 clinical trials related to BCI technologies were registered, representing an almost threefold increase over the previous year. In addition to CEBSIT, the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech also began early BCI chip implantations in humans, with plans to expand the trials to approximately 50 patients after obtaining regulatory approval.
Before the human trials, studies were successfully conducted on macaques trained to control cursors and type using implanted BCI devices. Importantly, the implants could be removed and replaced without adverse effects, which is crucial for future opportunities to improve the technology.
Impact on Global Medicine and Technology
These developments establish China as the second country after the United States to conduct invasive human BCI trials and intensify the global race for brain-interface technologies. The dawn of the brain chip era has the potential to transform not only medicine but the entire way people interact with technology. From helping paralyzed patients to potentially enhancing human cognitive abilities, the possibilities seem limitless.
The fact that the first patient was able to play video games using only his thoughts just a few weeks after surgery indicates how quickly this technology is advancing. Chinese researchers have demonstrated that their approach using soft neural electrodes provides a safe and stable platform for long-term use, which is essential for commercial applications.
2028 is no longer the distant future, and if the Chinese teams stay on schedule, we will soon see brain chips become a routine part of medical care for people with neurological disabilities. This technology has the potential not only to restore lost functions but also to unlock entirely new possibilities for human potential in interacting with the digital world.
