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California, USA
It sounds magical and supernatural to have the ability to read someone else's mind. But it seems like science has already brought this surreal but also terrifying imagination to reality. Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are claiming to have developed a machine that can read a human's mind and translate thoughts into text in real-time. The machine was found to have an impressive accuracy rate of 79 per cent.
This marks a significant leap in the brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which can drastically change how we interact with machines.
How was the study conducted?
To conduct the experiment, tiny electrodes were planted in the brains of two participants by the scientists. Then, the two participants were asked to silently say specific words.
The machine was able to decode their thoughts with 79 per cent accuracy.
However, scientists said the technology was still in very early stages and was limited to just "six words."
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The scientists asked the volunteers to look at words on a screen and whisper them without saying out loud, repeating each word eight times over three days. The BCI implant then detected the brain's activity patterns using a computer model to try and figure out the words the participants were thinking about.
Scientists exploring non-invasive methods
Caltech technology currently requires tiny electrodes to be implanted in brains by surgery. Scientists are also exploring non-invasive methods and technology.
One such method is using fMRI scans to analyse brain activity.
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As of now, these methods exhibit lesser accuracy but are more practical in the long run.
This technology, once evolved, can be used en masse for aiding patients facing speech and non-verbal disorders.
This technology can prove to be a boon for stroke survivors and individuals who have lost their ability to speak. It could offer them a valuable way to convey their thoughts and engage in effective communication with others.
(With inputs from agencies)