5 Shocking Revelations From Philip Low, Elon Musk's Former Friend And Tech Rival

The dramatic collapse of a friendship between two titans of technology and neuroscience—Philip Low and Elon Musk—has recently become a major flashpoint in the tech world. The relationship, which began with Musk as an investor in Low’s groundbreaking company, NeuroVigil, has devolved into a bitter public feud, with Low issuing a scathing open letter that details his former friend’s alleged "lust for power" and narcissism. This highly personal and professional rivalry highlights a fierce competition at the cutting edge of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, pitting Low’s iBrain against Musk’s Neuralink.

As of December 14, 2025, the narrative is no longer about collaboration but about a brutal takedown by a scientific peer. Low's recent public statements have provided a rare, deep-level insight into the personality and motivations of the world's wealthiest individual, making this one of the freshest and most explosive stories in the neurotechnology sector.

The Genius Behind iBrain: Philip Low's Complete Biography

Philip Low is a Canadian inventor, computational neuroscientist, and mathematician who has established himself as a preeminent figure in the field of brain monitoring and diagnostics. His work focuses on translating complex neural activity into actionable data, particularly for applications in sleep research, neurological disorders, and non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCI).

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Full Name: Philip Low, Ph.D.
• Born: 1979
• Nationality: Canadian
• Primary Field: Computational Neuroscience, Mathematics, Neurotechnology, Sleep Research.
• Key Role: Chairman, CEO, and Founder of NeuroVigil, Inc.
• Key Invention: The iBrain, a revolutionary, non-invasive, wireless brain monitoring device.
• Academic Affiliation: Adjunct Professor at Stanford School of Medicine.
• Notable Collaborations/Mentors: Worked with Francis Crick (Nobel Laureate of DNA fame) and has had Nobel laureates on his advisory board.
• Investor Base (NeuroVigil): Included prominent figures like Elon Musk, Tim Draper, Howard Morgan, and the late Stephen Hawking.

Low's company, NeuroVigil, has been recognized for its pioneering work, with its signature technology, the iBrain, being hailed by The New York Times as an "innovation that will" change the field.

From Investor to Adversary: The NeuroVigil and Neuralink Rivalry

The relationship between Philip Low and Elon Musk was initially one of mutual respect and investment. Musk was an early investor in NeuroVigil, the company Low founded to commercialize the iBrain, a single-sensor, non-invasive, wireless EEG device.

The iBrain is designed to monitor brain activity, particularly during sleep, and has been used in research with ALS patients, including the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

However, the narrative took a sharp turn with the founding of Neuralink, Musk’s own BCI company, which focuses on invasive brain implants. Low has publicly claimed that Musk’s ventures, specifically Neuralink, were a direct attempt to compete with his own company, NeuroVigil, despite Musk’s prior affiliation and investment.

This professional clash forms the foundation of the personal fallout. Low’s technology, iBrain, represents the non-invasive approach to brain monitoring, which is often contrasted with Neuralink’s high-risk, surgical implantation method. The competition between these two philosophies—non-invasive diagnostics versus surgical enhancement—is a core theme in the ongoing BCI debate, and the personal feud between Low and Musk has brought it to the forefront.

The 5 Most Explosive Accusations from Low's Open Letter

Low’s public statements, often posted on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, are not just about business rivalry; they are a deep, psychological critique of Musk’s character, based on what Low claims is a 14-year friendship.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

These accusations paint a picture of a man driven by ambition and a sense of superiority, offering a stark contrast to the public image of the visionary entrepreneur. The full text of Low’s posts has circulated widely, sparking intense debate across the tech community.

1. "Lust for Power" and Competitive Imitation

Low explicitly stated that Musk's motivation for creating companies like xAI and Neuralink was a "lust for power." He alleges that these ventures were launched to "attempt to compete" with successful companies in the same space, specifically mentioning OpenAI (in the context of xAI) and NeuroVigil (in the context of Neuralink).

This suggests that Musk’s entrepreneurial drive is not purely about innovation but about dominance over existing market leaders, even those he was once affiliated with as an investor.

2. Claiming to be a "Narcissist" Who Believes He is "Above Everyone Else"

Low's critique is deeply personal, labeling his former friend a narcissist. He claimed that Musk “believes he is above everyone else,” a sentiment that Low argues explains many of Musk’s controversial public actions and statements.

This accusation of an overwhelming superiority complex from a long-time peer is one of the most damaging personal critiques Musk has faced from within his own circle.

3. The "Pretending" Scientist Allegation

In a powerful statement, Low positioned himself as an "actual scientist and inventor," drawing a clear line between his own credentials and Musk's. Low accused Musk of "not pretending to be someone I am not," implying that Musk exaggerates or misrepresents his scientific and inventive contributions.

This targets the core of Musk's public persona as a lead engineer and technical visionary for his companies, suggesting a gap between the image and the reality.

4. Prediction of Political "Damage" Due to Humiliation

The feud has also spilled into the political arena. Low has publicly commented on Musk's political maneuvers, suggesting that Musk feels "humiliated" and will consequently "do everything to damage" his political rivals, such as Donald Trump.

This analysis suggests that Musk's political engagement is not driven by ideology but by a deep-seated need to restore his perceived status and retaliate against those he feels have slighted him.

5. The "Negative" Influence on Tesla

Low has extended his criticism to Musk's corporate leadership, specifically at Tesla. He has publicly suggested that the board needs to remove Musk, stating that he is a "negative for the company."

This is a significant statement coming from an early investor and peer, indicating that the personal and political controversies surrounding Musk are now seen by some insiders as a liability to his flagship company.

The Future of Neurotechnology: iBrain vs. Neuralink

The conflict between Philip Low and Elon Musk is more than just a personal dispute; it represents a fundamental divergence in the future of neurotechnology. Low's NeuroVigil, with its non-invasive iBrain, focuses on passive brain monitoring, diagnostics, and data collection, offering low-risk applications for pharmaceuticals, sleep analysis, and early disease detection.

The iBrain's ability to monitor brain waves wirelessly and non-surgically has positioned it as a critical tool for understanding the brain without the need for medical intervention.

Conversely, Musk’s Neuralink is focused on high-bandwidth, invasive BCI devices that require surgical implantation. The goal is to restore motor function, treat neurological disorders, and ultimately achieve a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. The two technologies operate on entirely different risk and reward scales.

Low's public takedown, therefore, serves as a powerful defense of his own scientific approach and a warning about the potential overreach and personality-driven risks associated with the invasive BCI model championed by his former friend. As both companies continue to develop their respective technologies, the world watches to see which vision—the diagnostic, non-invasive path of NeuroVigil or the enhancement-focused, invasive path of Neuralink—will dominate the future of brain science.