Noland Arbaugh is the world’s first human to receive a Neuralink brain-computer interface, a device designed to bridge mind and machine. Some call it a brain chip. Others call it an implant. But Noland calls her Eve.
Noland grew up curious, kind, and faith-driven. He studied international politics and diplomacy at Texas A&M University before a swimming accident in 2016 left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. For eight years, his world was still. Then came Eve, his brain co-pilot, and the moment he moved a computer cursor with nothing but thought, he joked that they were officially joined in “holy matribrainy.” That day marked the beginning of a new chapter. Through Eve, Noland found his way back into the world: playing chess, gaming, studying, writing, and even launching a business.
Today, he’s completing his neuroscience degree because, as he says, “it just seemed fitting.” His days are spent buried in chemistry, biology, and pre-calculus, earning A’s across the board. When he’s not studying, he’s building his speaking career, with more conferences, podcasts, and global keynotes lined up for 2026. As if he wasn’t busy enough, between classes and speaking, he’s working on a book, slated for release next year. “I’m all about outrageous predictions,” he laughs.
His story is more than science; it’s a living testimony. Through humor, humility, and unwavering faith, he’s redefining what it means to be human in the age of technology, reminding audiences that courage, curiosity, and grace can turn tragedy into triumph.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Noland isn’t just alive in the world; he’s part of it again. And with Eve by his side, he’s showing his audience that when faith meets innovation, even the limitations of paralysis dissolve into possibilities.