Elon Musk: Starting the Neuralink Brain Machine Plans Human Tests in 2020

Neuralink, Elon Musk's ambitious young computer scientist, plans to launch trials on humans next year. Musk spoke about the project at an event that was broadcast live – with an eye on recruiting new talent – late Tuesday.

Neuralink aligns with a broader trend of technological minds seeking to merge their approaches with the world of health. Facebook had previously devoted resources to the exploration of computer systems with which people could communicate simply by thinking.

The start-up plans to drill holes in the brain with a custom machine to integrate thin wires that connect to a small processor, which can then be connected to a phone via Bluetooth. Over time, he would like to simplify the installation process, such as laser surgery.

Musk thinks the technology could eventually help cognitive abilities such as speech and sight, according to the New York Times.

The company is seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to begin clinical trials as early as next year, Bloomberg said. Musk said the start-up wanted his first human patient to be equipped with the technology by the end of 2020.

"It will take a long time and you will see it coming," Musk said at Tuesday's event.

Neuralink has been operating in relative secrecy since Musk, CEO of Tesla and co-founder of PayPal, exposed the start-up's ideas in a long article published in 2017 on Tim Urban's blog, "Wait But Why."

"Our goal is to market something that can help in some serious brain damage (stroke, cancer, conbad injury) in about four years," Urban told Musk. He had a greater ambition, however.

Musk said Tuesday that he hoped to "help secure the future of humanity as an AI-related civilization," or artificial intelligence.

Last year, a news media reported that Neuralink was looking for tests on animals.

Musk also spoke about the project last year during an appearance on the podcast "Joe Rogan Experience". "I think we will have something interesting to announce in a few months … it's better than everyone thinks possible," he said.

Musk, co-founder of Neuralink, has invested $ 100 million in the company, the New York Times reported.

WATCH: Musk on mission to connect brains with computers