paralyzed man has regained the ability to walk thanks to artificial intelligence-powered implants that re-established communication between the brain and spinal cord, researchers said. "Now I can just do what I want – when I decide to make a step the stimulation will kick in as soon as I think about it," Gert-Jan Oskam said, adding that he now has "freedom that I did not have" and that between the surgeries and therapy, it has been "a long journey to get here." Oskam, a 40-year-old Dutchman, was left paralyzed following a cycling accident 12 years ago.
He lost full use of his legs and partial use of his arms due to damage to the spinal cord in his neck. The device that has allowed him to walk is the result of a decade of research, building on the work of French neuroscientist Grégoire Courtine.