Terry Mandable, who lost his ability to speak clearly because of ALS, has used an experimental Neuralink brain implant to communicate intended words as text and speech. In a demonstration, the system enabled him to tell his wife, Lori, “I love you”, highlighting the potential of brain-computer interfaces to help people with severe speech impairments remain connected to others.

The implant was placed in the brain’s speech motor region and records neural activity linked to attempted or imagined speech, which artificial intelligence then decodes. Mandable, formerly a company partner, became the third participant in Neuralink’s experimental Voice study after ALS forced him to retire and increasingly affected communication at home; the technology is not FDA-approved for general use and requires further research.