Silent Thoughts Can be Heard Now. Thanks Brain-Text Tech

Researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can translate silent thoughts into text.

So, if you think silently as if it were just in your mind, we will know! That’s scary enough to believe. It’s just like a movie that has come to life. But it’s true.

Decoding from Brain-to-text.

What happened is that the technology uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap to record brain activity while participants silently read text passages. The EEG wave is divided into separate units that capture specific features and patterns found in the human brain. This process is facilitated by an AI model known as DeWave, which was created by the researchers. It interprets EEG signals into words and sentences through learning derived from extensive EEG data.

The cap is used in a comfortable manner to measure brain activity, meaning that it can be utilized without the need for surgery or any other invasive procedures.

“It is the first to incorporate discrete encoding techniques in the brain-to-text translation process, introducing an innovative approach to neural decoding. The integration with large language models is also opening new frontiers in neuroscience and AI,” said Professor CT Lin, Director of the GrapheneX-UTS HAI Centre, together with first author Yiqun Duan and fellow Ph.D. candidate Jinzhou Zhou from the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT.

The previously mentioned technique has promising applications for seamless communication between humans and machines, showcasing the advancements in AI and machine learning. This implies that the collaboration between the encoding technique and machine learning enables the AI system to not only decode silent thoughts but also translate them into coherent and fluent text.

New Cap Accessible for ALL

This technology aids individuals with disabilities who are unable to speak or suffer from injuries. It represents one of the primary and potential applications of the cap, making it accessible to all. Such assistive technologies are a significant step toward humanizing these advanced cap technologies.

Such mind-reading technology, which decodes thoughts into text, harbors perilous purposes. It can be used for eavesdropping on people’s thoughts, thereby risking privacy breaches and personal data leaks. This violates individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression. Furthermore, the sensitive nature of ‘thought’ data makes it an easy target for hackers and malicious actors.

The AI system could exhibit significant bias depending on the data it is fed. This could lead to discriminatory interpretations of certain thoughts, especially those of marginalized groups. Being a purely AI-based system, it might struggle to accurately capture the full meaning and intent behind thoughts, potentially leading to misinterpretations.

If this technology is adopted, considering its ethical implications is a must. However, the most notable point is the significant development in the domain of brain-computer interfaces, which have the potential to revolutionize and elevate the way we communicate and interact with the entire world, without any exceptions.

Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the Tech industry. Keep an eye on our Medtechsection to stay informed and updated with our daily articles.