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Beaufort County man hopes to be “guinea pig” for Elon Musk’s AI brain-embedded chip appeared on www.witn.com by WITN Web Team.
BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – We’ve heard a lot about artificial intelligence in recent years: the advancements and dangers. It can open doors for us, from something as simple as Grammarly checking your spelling in an email to something more complex like detecting cancer.
AI can as beneficial as providing convenience – to as groundbreaking as changing the way some people go about their daily life.
WITN talked to a Beaufort County man who is begging for that technology to reach him and hopes it happens before it’s too late.
With the slightest squeeze of his pinky and the quiet beep of a computer Stephen Woolard is able to communicate with the world as a computer reads aloud the words he types.
Despite the delay and technical glitches once in a while, his humor still comes across.
“I type slower than molasses going up a hill on a cold day, but I manage,” Woolard said.
It’s a far cry from when his caregiver would point to letters to help him spell out what he wanted to say, but it’s still not where he’d like to be.
“I just want to be able to take care of myself without any help from anyone,” he said.
Woolard had a stroke when he was 25. Parts of his brain died from lack of blood and oxygen. Now, he can’t move or talk.
Recently he heard about Telepathy – a brain-embedded computer chip Elon Musk’s company Neuralink is trialing. It was implanted in the first human early this year and Musk said it showed some success, allowing the trial participant to control a computer mouse with their brain.
For Woolard, the mere possibility brings with it hope for a future that looks much different.
“It is not a permanent solution to my problem, but to instantaneously be able to speak again would be a vast improvement in the quality of my own life,” he explained.
Woolard reached out to Musk’s team to request to be part of a trial or testing. He hasn’t heard back. So, he emailed us to spread the word.
“This is a hail mary with one second left on the clock effort. I have no idea whether or not it will work, but here it is,” Woolard explained. “I want to let the world and Elon Musk know that i exist and that I’m willing to be a human lab rat for experimentation.”
Gloria Jinks works with what’s called assistive technology every day. She says the possibilities that AI brings a lot with it are exciting.
“I understand AI has been around for a while, but we’re seeing how companies are incorporating it into our technology, and it’s just going to increase access for our individuals who are differently-abled,” Jinks explained.
She says people may be surprised how simple things like accessibility options on a smartphone can improve the everyday life of someone with physical challenges.
“The transition to the smart technology has been a valuable, especially for individuals who might not have access to purchase equipment, might not have insurance. Now there’s something comparable for us to be able to find right on their phone for them to be able to use,” she said.
For anyone who is eager for technology to catch up to their needs, Jinks says it may just be a matter of time.
“Things change. Technology changes all the time. Just when I’ve figured out something and I’ve learned it. It’s upgraded. It’s outdated.
But in Woolard’s case, that may be the problem.
“Time is not on my side,” he said.
That’s why he’s hoping for anyone, whether it’s musk or another developer, to hear his plea for a better life.
“I’m not looking for any sympathy or recognition,” Woolard said. “I just want to take care of myself without any help from anyone. Right now, I need help with everything that a person does in a day.”
If you’re curious what technology is out there to help with your needs, you can get in touch with the NCDHHS Assistive Technology Program.
We also reached out to Musk’s team but did not hear back.
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