Elon Musk Introduces Neuralink

On July 16th 2019, Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX, introduce the world to his nanotechnology company called, Neuralink. The goal of Neuralink is to create a computer interface that can be implanted in the brain and can be used to allow humans to control computers using only their minds. Mr. Musk says that Neuralink, which was founded in 2016, has already had successful experiments using monkeys as test subjects.

Neuralink's plan is to use a surgical robot to implant an array consisting of 3,072 flexible electrodes or threads into the cortex, or outer layer of the brain. The array will then be connected to a USB port on the outside of the brain. The electrodes will pick up and relay signals both to and from the brain.  Mr Musk and his team say, the interface will eventually be used in conjunction with AI. Mr. Musk also says that Neuralink expects human testing to begin in 2020.

Virgin Galactic To Be Pulicly Traded

On July 9th 2019, Virgin Galactic announced that it is taking the company public. The space tourism company owned by Richard Branson released a statement detailing Virgin Galactic's proposed merger with Social Capital Hedosphia which is the aquisition company of ex Facebook executive, Chatmath Palihapitia. As part of the deal, Virgin Galactic will get an $800 million infusion of cash that the company may use in its efforts to launch passengers into space.

Chatmath Palihapitia will also add another $100 million and become the CEO fo the new company.