The Long View: Living with a Brain-Computer Interface for Five Years

In the spring of 2019, Rodney Gorham became the first person to receive a permanent brain-computer interface implant from Synchron, a company pioneering minimally invasive neural technology. Five years later, Gorham's experience offers a rare longitudinal perspective on what it means to merge human cognition with digital systems. The device, called the Stentrode, is unlike traditional brain implants. Rather than requiring open-brain surgery, it's inserted through the jugular vein and guided to a blood vessel near the motor cortex. From there, it detects neural signals and translates them into digital commands. For Gorham, who has ALS, the technology has become a lifeline—enabling him to text, shop online, and even control smart home devices with his thoughts alone. What makes Gorham's case particularly significant is not just the duration of his implant use, but the evolution of its capabilities. Early on, he could perform simple clicks and typing. Over time, software updates and his own adaptation have expanded his control. He now navigates complex interfaces, demonstrating how brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can grow more sophisticated alongside their users. This raises profound questions about the future of human-machine interaction. If a person can spend years refining their relationship with a device implanted in their brain, what does that mean for identity, agency, and autonomy? Gorham's experience suggests that BCIs are not static tools but dynamic extensions of the self—capable of evolving as users learn to harness them. Yet, challenges remain. The technology is still experimental, and long-term effects are unknown. There are also ethical concerns about data privacy, as BCIs can capture intimate neural information. Gorham's journey underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect users as these devices become more widespread. Looking ahead, Gorham's story is both a milestone and a glimpse into a future where BCIs could become as commonplace as smartphones. For now, he continues to explore the boundaries of what his implant can do, embodying the potential—and the uncertainties—of this transformative technology.