Will Neuralink successfully restore functional vision to a blind patient (via the 'Blindsight' implant) in a human trial before the end of 2027?

Neuralink's Blindsight: Reality by 2027?

Neuralink has received FDA 'Breakthrough Device' designation for its Blindsight implant, which aims to bypass the eye and optic nerve to stimulate the visual cortex directly. This prediction asks if a human patient will achieve 'functional vision' (ability to distinguish shapes or navigate) via the implant by 2027.

High Risk, High Reward

The vote is split. The scientific principle (phosphene stimulation) is established, but achieving useful resolution is an immense engineering challenge. While Neuralink moves fast (targeting 2026 for first implants), the complexity of the visual cortex means early results may be very crude (low-resolution flashes) rather than functional sight. However, the accelerated timeline keeps the 'Yes' possibility viable.