How Neuralink Helped Brad Smith Regain His Voice After ALS:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Brad Smith is the first non-verbal person with advancing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to receive a Neuralink brain implant. He recently uploaded a video to X (formerly known as Twitter) in which he expresses emotion. In the video, Smith showcases the ability to communicate due to Neuralink’s technology, notwithstanding the significant physical challenges he endures.

Smith is advanced in his ALS progression; he is fully paralyzed and on a ventilator. With the aid of Neuralink’s brain computer interface (BCI), Smith now has the ability to control his MacBook Pro and ‘speak’ through a voice AI that was once his own.

He quoted, "Of course having ALS sucks, but life is beautiful and God has answered my prayers."

In the video, Smith shared a message of gratitude and happiness.

Neurolink and other organizations have given the community hope through technology advances, one being the ability to control a cursor to navigate a computer’s interface utilizing solely brain signals. The ability to ‘speak’ is identified in the clips as he changes the voice to AI generated audio of his voice that was recorded before the ability to speak was lost due to ALS.

I am the 3rd person in the world to receive the @Neuralink brain implant.

1st with ALS. 1st Nonverbal.

I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary communication.

Ask me anything! I will answer at least all verified users!

Thank you @elonmusk! pic.twitter.com/bxYO3SBfA2
— Bradford G Smith (Brad) (@ALScyborg) April 27, 2025

Said Smith, "This is my old voice narrating this video, cloned by AI," He proceeds to explain how through AI and neurologic technology, he is able to reconnect with individuals.

How Neuralink's Technology Works

Elon Musk founded Neuralink with a particular agenda – developing brain-computer interfaces that help people who are severely disabled. Smith has an implant in his motor cortex which controls bodily movements.

His neural implant contains 1024 electrodes that detect brain activity, which is relayed wirelessly to a computer. AI processes those signals to help interpret what Smith intends to do, including the movements taken and the actions performed.

Early tests limited the experiments to hand movements; later, engineers discovered that using one’s tongue provided even greater accuracy. He now moves the cursor involuntarily, similar to how people use a mouse.

Adjusting to New Forms of Communication

Smith has described the difficulties that come with the use of the implant. “It feels as though the cursor advances in an arbitrary direction. I have to constantly modify it,” he stated. Speed control and bias correction are some of the tools that help him adjust the cursor’s movements.

Moreover, Neuralink designed a virtual keyboard and an AI chatbot with speech recognition capabilities. These apps can suggest words to fill in text and respond to conversations in Smith’s cloned voice; thus, allowing him to actively participate in dialogues.

Smith remembered using the app: “I selected the option that instructed him to get her a bouquet of carrots and told her to get her a bouquet of carrots,” demonstrating the meaningful personalization technology can enable.

On The Horizon: Quicker Communication and Enhanced Freedom

With the assistance of engineers from Neuralink, Smith is training himself to type faster. This includes working with a specially crafted keyboard tailored for single finger/mouse use, which could further enhance speed of communication.

“Faster communication, freedom, and hope is what I can say Neuralink has given me," Smith stated. He still considers the experience fantastic, once again noting how it has transformed his life for the better.

A Personal Journey of Hope and Faith

While battling ALS, Smith underscored that he has come to find purpose in something far greater than himself. Noting his wife, Tiffany, as a continual resource of laughter and hope, Smith highlighted her enormous impact.

"Tiffany is the greatest person I have ever known, and I get to spend eternity with her," He said. Smith was able to find closure on his journey stating, “Because of ALS I am a better man. God loves me and my family. In miraculous ways, he has granted us our wishes. Life is good.”