The first recipient of the Neuralink brain chip shared with NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” how the implant has dramatically improved his life over the past year.

Previously, Noland Arbaugh struggled with independence, unable to be left alone for half an hour after a 2016 diving accident left him paralyzed. Now, he can engage in activities like online chess and manage everyday tasks.

Arbaugh says he can write an email by simply using thought.

“I have control over the cursor, so I can navigate my email and click around… I don’t need to speak. I simply think about clicking, and it responds. After that, I either use voice dictation or a virtual keyboard on my screen to type out my messages.”

Man with brain chip spends time traveling, speaking about Neuralink

Arbaugh says he has had few issues in the year since receiving the implant and can now read books on his own.

“I was an avid reader before my accident, and reading books just kind of wasn’t very possible after my accident. I got stuck listening to audiobooks. And you know, those are hit or miss,” he said.

“I read all the time. Now it’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

Arbaugh now spends his time traveling and speaking about Neuralink, his faith and his personal journey, all while Neuralink continues to update the software.

He added: “From where we were at the beginning, it is massive improvements, and the more people that join the study, the better it’s going to get.”