The world’s first Neuralink patient divulged that one of the first things he did with the device was stay up all night playing Civilization VI.

Neuralink was founded by Elon Musk and is dedicated to developing Brain-Computer Interface Technology. Put simply, it’s technology that allows people to control computers with their brains.

Earlier this year, the company performed its first human trials after having previous success with animal subjects. Earlier this month, Neuralink introduced Noland Arbaugh to the world. Arbaugh is a quadriplegic with dislocated spinal vertebrae.

Founder Elon Musk shared the company’s ambitions to eventually cure paralysis, saying: “Long-term, it is possible to shunt the signals from the brain motor cortex past the damaged part of the spine to enable people to walk again and use their arms normally”.

When speaking to an audience, Arbaugh praised the success of Neuralink, saying that he looks forward to waking up everyday, something he feared he wouldn’t feel again after his accident 8 years ago. He also went on to say that Neuralink is still developing.

Part of enjoying waking up everyday, is having a fulfilling life; and while some people might consider video games to be a fruitless endeavor, for someone like Arbaugh it seems to mean a lot. In a livestream on X (formerly Twitter), Arbaugh played chess with his Neuralink implant while talking to viewers.

https://t.co/OMIeGGjYtG

— Neuralink (@neuralink) March 20, 2024

Arbaugh shared with viewers that one of the very first things he did after receiving the implant and getting accustomed to it, was to stay up all night and play Civ 6.

“One of the first times you all gave me complete control over this, I actually stayed up until… jeez I don’t know like 6 am playing Civilization 6. It was worth it, I guess is the best way to put it. It was awesome. I had basically given up on playing that game just because of how… I mean it’s a big game.”