Mind-reading computers turn brain activity into speech

For people with paralysis and other conditions, brain-computer-interfaces could provide a way to communicate without needing to be able to speak. The technology to do this has developed rapidly over the past few years, and two new studies show impressive results in converting brain activity into text, sounds and even facial expressions.
Read the Stanford University based paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s4158...
Read the University of California San Francisco based paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s4158...
Read a News & Views article about the results here: www.nature.com/articles/d4158...
For more stories like these sign up for the Nature Briefing: An essential round-up of science news, opinion and analysis, free in your inbox every weekday: go.nature.com/371OcVF

[@touchthatwire80]

Here we go. This is fantastic. Even if this turns out to be an individualized therapy from the variation amongst the population, it'll only get better as AI systems become faster and more sophisticated. Can you imagine what a relief something like this would be for someone suffering from the communication barrier following a stroke?

[@mr.theking2484]

Or any other disability inhibiting speech

[@cinziasevignani5313]

So helpful for those people. Grateful for this amazing time in science.

[@badAtPickingUsernames1988]

This is great but one practical problem I can think of is, how does the brain-computer interface tell the difference between what people want to communicate and what people want to keep in their head?

[@smokey04200420]

I think she has a “send” button.

[@alivewyne2084]

Thanks

[@armandoperezgutierrez1382]

Incredible!

[@AG0024]

So what if people have intrusive thoughts from years of different types of abuse and PTSD ? Unwanted thoughts we dont want in our brain to begin with can be seen on screen an read and possibly read by others doen the road? Or will there be help for mental health patience?

[@ropro9817]

What an exciting time we live in! ❤

[@ciaoidea]

yes! true!

[@ShreyanshShei]

How you make videos and do research for videos ? Please share with us

[@h1mangshu]

Can't hear my thoughts isn't a statement anymore.

[@thumper300zx]

Depends on context. Half the rate, 25% error. Not yet universal not portable (each brain may need to be analyzed as thoroughly). Limited vocabulary. Comparing it might be safe to say we're no closer to this being useful than we are with flying cars.

[@oussamajlidi81]

Hello, I need to buy a mind reading computer where to find it?

[@kwakuabeyku9797]

what is the name of this technology

[@axjagfilms]

Flint Lockwood on the development team fr

[@GabeTruman]

How do you turn it off when you have one and don’t want it

[@kiaruna]

Can anyone tell me more about the curriculum these people have to make it that far and do this kind of applications ? thanks !

[@penguinista]

It is the intersection of neuroscience, computer science, and electrical engineering. If you follow the link to the article, then click on authors names, you can find out what they have degrees in.

[@ValerieWoodMusic]

Go to MIT or CIT.

[@stonecookie]

Please edit and take out the background music/noise sound effects.

[@idonthaveaname4283]

its promising and has its own market. there are however things i dont like about it specifically the implant facet and the degrees of separation between brain activity- oh directly into sounds? hmmmmmmmmmmm

[@limitless1692]

Yeah.. this is just wanderful Now they can read your thoughts!!! In 1984 Oups I mean in 2084

[@RicardoBatistaPassos]

"I enjoy them bombing" Like a true american! Joking!

[@user-qi3cj2cx5b]

Reading minds & controlling them.

[@AG0024]

I think i seen something like this in demolition man with Sylvester Stallone and Sandra bullock 😮

[@killedbydead2953]

Great! Tho mine brain activity would be turned into spinach instead.

[@MaxwellChaney-wm8gz]

Aren't these prayer computers Maxwell chaney

[@user-go3ek7ti7j]

Someone already using this type of mind reading technology with wireless capturing features for security sector. This is really horrible.

[@christalee3643]

What do you mean??

[@footfault1941]

Mind-reading, mind boggling! Without having any hint of system on work, they're creating a magic box. Amazing!

[@AlgoNudger]

❤

[@FHBStudio]

There's a bit of talk about dystopian pod-life where you don't need to do anything and your pod keeps you alive, and you live in VR. The best example of this is The Matrix, of course. But for people suffer from completely debilitating afflictions as well as a complete lack of social life, these kinds of technologies would allow them to live through an avatar either in real life or in VR. Haptic technology is also well underway and I can imagine smell and taste also moving in that direction. If you can translate sensory information to something a machine can understand and process accurately, you can probably do something in reverse as well. To make The Matrix even more dystopian however: imagine life in The Matrix sponsored by big advertising companies. "Do you want to experience 3 ads for some free mayo with your fries?" and of course ads will also be fully immersive experiences at that point. Imagine an ad for cocaine giving you just enough to get you addicted.

[@jtaylor3609]

I think in some way we are getting close in a way. You never have to leave you home anymore at all. You can work, have food delivered, get your degree, have booze delivered, meet women online, start bank accounts online, at the moment you can live a 100% isolated life. Which is definitely contributing to the increase in mental health decline in 1st world countries.

[@flowerdiary9689]

Ga☕ That's exciting! Well…How can dementia be cured?

[@guldenaydin9918]

⚘🍃

[@nycnativerenaynay4304]

I thought they already had this technology years ago (Stephen Hawking)

[@RobertAdams-uc9bk]

I am telling the truth. I don't have much longer, please if you can, please help me.

[@lucaskropp9746]

So cooooool!

[@PauloRLustosa]

Body-reading computer?

[@chendu2215]

Hope no one gets to hack it and read my conversations

[@abelhapedras]

this is so fucking scary. imagine governments having access to this in 20 years time, being able to read the thoughts of all their citizens.

[@JosueMartinez-ww1vj]

I will not let the government drill my skull for a brain implant!

[@TaiganTundra]

Haha, 20 years, I think it's going to be much earlier than that.

[@ahabkapitany]

There are subtle clues that give away such an attempt. For example said government drilling into your skull to implant a chip.

[@TheFinalFrontiersman]

WooOOOOOoooOO They're cOmInG fOr YoUr ThOuGhTs!!!!1! Boogidieboogidieboogidie

[@Sam-cv6un]

@@TheFinalFrontiersman lol

[@user-bs1lr8nx1h]

and we all know were this will end's -first its freedom for the patients then its about freedom for the end user -like politicians, banks ,business, dictators ,borders ,police etc -these are the willing subjects then it will tested on everyone else including animals to figure out IQ + yes children t figure out where they bellong on the scale for edjucation or threatment -and shuold i guess -pply for this for by do this.... and I would guess it wont apply to rich and powerful because they "can"

[@user-ks6zj7cl7n]

Это не добровольные, а люди больные. Какое высокомерие над ними

[@markgrayson7514]

Brain computer interfaces, and no mention of Neuralink? Neuralink will do this application and much more.

[@penguinista]

'Will' is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. I am sure the systems produced by other teams _will_ do amazing things too. The difference is more in the nature of the presentation. These are academic research teams and Musk is a salesman.

[@tonysmith2045]

As a Christian who operates in the spirit and very little In the Flesh I do not believe this technology will have any effect on the spirit within us.

[@johnwolfenden7599]

What does that even mean. How could finally being able to communicate with other humans NOT affect the spirit within? Or are you saying that the words are just generated from the flesh and not from the spirit? I want to understand.

[@tonysmith2045]

@@johnwolfenden7599 of course it can help people with physical disabilities, but operating in the spirit is something separate from that. Basically it means God's will over your fleshly will....

[@justindie7543]

Unfortunately these researchers are 5400 years late to the game.