Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that Neuralink patients could soon beat most people, and eventually everyone, in quick-reaction video games. In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the world’s richest man and the owner of the brain chip company predicted a significant enhancement in capabilities for individuals receiving Neuralink implants. He also hinted that Neuralink’s first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, could be the first to receive an upgraded or dual Neuralink implant to further enhance his abilities. In his X post, Musk wrote: “Noland might be the first to receive a Neuralink upgrade and/or dual Neuralink implant to further augment his abilities. It won’t be long before a Neuralink recipient can beat most and eventually all humans at fast reaction video games.”

Musk’s prediction came in response to another X post shared by a user named Mario Nawfal about the success of Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh. The post said: “NEURALINK MADE HIM THE FIRST PATIENT – NOW HE’S UNSTOPPABLE. 21 months after becoming the first human to receive a Neuralink implant, Nolan Arbaugh isn’t just typing with his mind, he’s taking pre-calc, studying neuroscience, and launching a speaking career. Paralysed from the neck down after a diving accident, Nolan says the chip, nicknamed “Eve”, made the impossible not only possible, but normal. He’s gone from hospital bed to tech conference keynote, with Fortune already cutting the check.

Neuralink doesn’t call him much anymore; he jokes it’s “once in a blue moon” because now, others are joining the trial. And as for Nolan? He’s building a brand, getting straight As, and teasing “big news” for 2026. Not bad for a guy running on brainwaves. Source: Teslarati, @ModdedQuad.”In September, Neuralink announced that its brain implant had been used by 12 people worldwide. This reflected an increase from June 2025, when the Barrow Neurological Institute reported that only seven patients had received the implant. According to Neuralink, the group of patients has collectively used their devices for 2,000 days and logged more than 15,000 hours of activity.Earlier, in May 2025, Neuralink received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for speech and speech restoration. The designation allows the company to fast-track the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) devices to help individuals with severe speech impairments regain communication abilities. It also opens the door for Neuralink’s speech-focused devices to be included in upcoming clinical trials for speech restoration.