Neuralink's 21 Telepathy Trials in 2 Years
Original source ↗  |  January 31, 2026 at 17:01 UTC  |  Substack - Chamath Palihapitiya
Speakers
Chamath Palihapitiya — Chamath Palihapitiya

Summary

  • Chamath highlights significant advancements in three frontier technology areas: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) with Neuralink, Humanoid Robotics with Figure AI, and AI-driven Genomics with Google DeepMind's AlphaGenome.
  • Neuralink has expanded human trials to 21 participants, showing improved signal quality and new initiatives for speech restoration ("VOICE") and visual perception ("Blindsight" with FDA Breakthrough designation), indicating rapid progress in neurotechnology.
  • Figure AI's Helix 02 model enables "Full-Body Autonomy" for its Figure 03 humanoid robot, solving complex loco-manipulation challenges and demonstrating advanced dexterity, signaling a major leap in robotics and automation.
  • Google DeepMind's AlphaGenome, released for non-commercial use, is an AI model that significantly improves understanding of non-coding DNA, outperforming existing models and promising to accelerate personalized gene therapies and disease understanding.

=== MARKET IMPLICATIONS === These breakthroughs collectively reinforce a strong long-term bullish outlook on the broader Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, as AI is the foundational technology enabling progress in all three areas. The rapid advancements in BCI and genomics point to a transformative period for the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, particularly in personalized medicine, neurological treatments, and genetic therapies. Humanoid robotics signals a potential paradigm shift in industrial automation, logistics, and even service industries, driving demand for advanced robotics and AI infrastructure. While Neuralink and Figure AI are private, their progress validates the investment thesis for public companies and ETFs operating in related fields, suggesting significant capital flows into these disruptive technologies. Alphabet (GOOGL) is a direct beneficiary of the AlphaGenome breakthrough.

Trade Ideas
Ticker Direction Speaker Thesis Time
LONG Chamath Palihapitiya
Host, All-In Podcast / CEO, Social Capital
Google DeepMind just published AlphaGenome, an AI model that significantly advances DNA analysis, particularly for non-coding DNA, and has been released for free, non-commercial use to accelerate research and personalized gene therapies. AlphaGenome is a product of Google DeepMind, directly enhancing Alphabet's intellectual property and demonstrating its leadership in cutting-edge AI research with profound real-world applications. This innovation strengthens Alphabet's position as a dominant force in AI, with potential long-term benefits across its cloud, healthcare, and research divisions, even if direct monetization isn't immediate. Long Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG) due to its continued innovation in AI, exemplified by AlphaGenome, which reinforces its competitive advantage and potential for future growth in high-impact sectors like biotech and healthcare. Broader market downturns, increased regulatory scrutiny on large tech companies, or slower-than-expected commercialization of DeepMind's research.
LONG Chamath Palihapitiya
Host, All-In Podcast / CEO, Social Capital
Google DeepMind's AlphaGenome is poised to "cut the timeline for personalized gene therapies by years" and accelerate disease understanding. Neuralink's progress in BCI, particularly "VOICE" and "Blindsight" with FDA Breakthrough designation, indicates significant advancements in treating neurological and sensory disorders. These AI-driven breakthroughs in genomics and neurotechnology will act as powerful catalysts for the entire biotechnology and medical device sectors. Faster drug discovery, more precise diagnostics, and revolutionary treatments for previously untreatable conditions will drive innovation and revenue growth for companies operating in these spaces. Long the Biotechnology/Genomics sector via ETFs, anticipating accelerated innovation, reduced R&D timelines, and expanded market opportunities driven by AI tools like AlphaGenome and BCI advancements. Regulatory hurdles for new therapies, clinical trial failures, intense competition, and the long development cycles inherent in biotech.
LONG Chamath Palihapitiya
Host, All-In Podcast / CEO, Social Capital
Figure AI's Helix 02 model and Figure 03 humanoid robot demonstrate a breakthrough in "Full-Body Autonomy" and loco-manipulation, enabling delicate tasks and replacing extensive manual coding with neural networks trained on human motion. This significant leap in humanoid robotics, while from a private company, signals a maturing of the technology that will eventually permeate various industries. Publicly traded companies involved in robotics components, industrial automation, AI for robotics, and even early adopters of advanced automation solutions are likely to benefit from this accelerating trend. Long the Robotics & Automation sector via ETFs, anticipating increased adoption and investment in advanced automation solutions as humanoid robots become more capable and cost-effective, driven by breakthroughs like Figure AI's. High development costs, slower-than-expected commercial adoption, ethical concerns surrounding AI and robotics, and potential for technological setbacks.
WATCH Chamath Palihapitiya
Host, All-In Podcast / CEO, Social Capital
Neuralink has expanded human clinical trials to 21 participants, showing improved signal quality, and is launching new trials for "VOICE" (speech restoration) and "Blindsight" (visual perception) with FDA Breakthrough Device designation. While Neuralink is private, its rapid progress and FDA Breakthrough designation highlight the immense potential and accelerating innovation within the broader neurotechnology and medical device sectors. This could lead to increased investor interest and R&D spending in companies developing BCI, neuro-stimulation, and other advanced medical implants. Watch the Neurotechnology / Medical Devices sector for potential opportunities. While direct investment in Neuralink is not possible, its success could create a halo effect for public companies in the space, or signal future M&A activity. Neuralink's technology is still nascent and highly experimental; regulatory approval processes are lengthy and stringent; the market for such advanced devices may be niche initially.