AI illustration: First human Neuralink implant
NeuralinkNeuralink & Health
Delivered · Late

Neuralink first human implant: promised 2020, done in 2024

Elon Musk first promised the first human Neuralink implant for 2020, then moved the date 2 times. It happened, but 0.6 years late.

goalposts: 2020 → 2022 → 2023 · moved 2×
Starlink via our referral: you get a $100 credit after 2 months subscribed (US, Oct 2026 terms). Order in the tab that opens.Get Starlink →
Get an email when this verdict changes. The Daily Verdict covers every change on the board, this one included, and only goes out on days something happens.
“We hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year.”
— Elon Musk · Jul 16, 2019 · Neuralink Launch Event, Jul 16 2019 — CNET public re-upload of the original presentation (Elon Musk speaking) ↗
What actually happened

At its July 16 2019 launch event Neuralink, with Musk presenting, said it aimed to start testing on human patients in 2020 pending FDA approval. That did not happen; FDA human-trial approval came in May 2023 and the first human Neuralink implant was performed in late January 2024 (announced by Musk Jan 29 2024). The 2020 target was missed by more than three years. MIT Technology Review, July 17 2019 — Neuralink's plan to begin human testing in 2020; cross-checked against Wikipedia/Neuralink timeline for the Jan 2024 first implant ↗

The Progression

Jul 16, 2019
The promise: “We hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year.” · Neuralink Launch Event, Jul 16 2019 — CNET public re-upload of the original presentation (Elon Musk speaking) ↗
2022
Timeline pushed to 2022.
Goalpost #1
2023
Timeline pushed to 2023.
Goalpost #2
Jan 28, 2024
Delivered · Late — 0.6 years late. At its July 16 2019 launch event Neuralink, with Musk presenting, said it aimed to start testing on human patients in 2020 pending FDA approval. That did not happen; FDA human-trial approval came in May 2023 and the first human Neuralink implant was performed in late January 2024 (announced by Musk Jan 29 2024). The 2020 target was missed by more than three years. MIT Technology Review, July 17 2019 — Neuralink's plan to begin human testing in 2020; cross-checked against Wikipedia/Neuralink timeline for the Jan 2024 first implant ↗
Today · Oct 14, 2026
Status: Delivered · Late · 0.6 years late. It happened — eventually.
Win the argument. Share the receipt.
The post comes pre-loaded with his quote, the clock, and the share card — one tap and it's settled.
Post the receipt

Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-06-22

Questions about Neuralink First Human Implant

What did Elon Musk promise about Neuralink First Human Implant?

On Jul 16, 2019, Elon Musk said: “We hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year.” (source).

Did it happen?

At its July 16 2019 launch event Neuralink, with Musk presenting, said it aimed to start testing on human patients in 2020 pending FDA approval. That did not happen; FDA human-trial approval came in May 2023 and the first human Neuralink implant was performed in late January 2024 (announced by Musk Jan 29 2024). The 2020 target was missed by more than three years. (MIT Technology Review, July 17 2019 — Neuralink's plan to begin human testing in 2020; cross-checked against Wikipedia/Neuralink timeline for the Jan 2024 first implant)

Neuralink’s record

Delivered
2
22% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
7
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
7
On the clock now. All 16 Neuralink claims →

More Neuralink predictions

Read next

Also Neuralink, resolves soonest
Also Neuralink, resolves soonest
Also Neuralink, resolves soonest

Discussion

Loading…
← Starship reaches orbit Quadriplegics control phones faster than able-bodied by 2025 →
/// The Daily Verdict
Know the moment a prediction lands — or doesn't.
One email a day, only when something changes: a new promise, a blown deadline, a goalpost move, or a rare on-time delivery. No spam, instant unsubscribe.