Oman Investment Authority invests in Neuralink as Brain-Computer Interface trials progress

OMAN—Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has invested in US-based Neuralink, the neurotechnology company founded by Elon Musk, as part of its strategy to support emerging healthcare technologies and advanced innovation sectors.

The sovereign wealth fund continues to diversify its international portfolio by allocating capital to deep-tech industries with long-term growth potential.

OIA currently holds investments across more than 52 countries, reflecting its broader mandate to strengthen financial sustainability while supporting economic diversification priorities.

Neuralink and the development of brain–computer interfaces

Neuralink, established in 2016, develops brain–computer interface (BCI) systems that enable direct communication between the human brain and external digital devices.

The company engineers ultra-precise neural implants that interpret brain activity and convert it into digital commands to control computers and other systems.

Researchers are actively exploring the technology’s potential applications in treating neurological conditions, including recovery support for stroke patients and management of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which impairs motor neurons while often preserving cognitive function.

Clinical trials and human implant progress

Neuralink’s clinical programme has recorded notable early milestones, including reports that its first human participant successfully operated a computer and typed using neural signals alone.

In addition, the company has received regulatory approval in the United States to continue human trials involving robotic-assisted surgical systems for implant placement.

As of January 2026, Neuralink had implanted devices in 21 patients, with 17 of those procedures completed in 2025 as the trial expanded beyond initial participants.

The company has significantly increased enrolment rates, progressing from early-stage testing cohorts to multiple new patients each month, while Elon Musk has indicated a long-term goal of reaching 1,000 implant procedures by the end of 2026.

Advancing vision restoration through blindsight

Beyond motor and communication applications, Neuralink is also developing “Blindsight,” a neural visual prosthesis designed to restore limited vision by stimulating the brain’s visual cortex using input from external cameras.

The system aims to provide early-stage users with low-resolution visual perception, particularly for individuals with severe or complete vision loss.

The programme remains in development, with future human trials expected as hardware and signal-processing capabilities continue to evolve.

Integrated development model and expansion strategy

Neuralink operates a vertically integrated structure that combines research and development, implant manufacturing, robotic surgical systems, and clinical operations under one framework.

This model enables the company to streamline innovation cycles while maintaining direct control over hardware and surgical design.

At the same time, Neuralink continues to expand its regulatory engagement and clinical infrastructure to support broader human trials and future scalability of its brain–computer interface technologies.