Birth of artificial intelligence can read human thoughts

Scientists at Columbia University in New York (USA) claim to have built a system that can read people's thoughts and translate information into words.

According to a study published in the journal Science Report published January 29, researchers at Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Institute for Brain Behavior have the ability to train an artificial intelligence to translate brain thoughts into complete sentences based on the subject's brain activity monitoring.

The author of the study said the application would be suitable for patients with language problems.'We have proven that with appropriate technology, the thoughts of these patients can be deciphered and heard by others,' explains Dr. Nima Mesgarani, the study author.

This algorithm can translate brain thoughts into complete sentences.(Artwork - Reuters).

After initial attempts failed, researchers created a computer algorithm that synthesized speech, called Vocoder.

'This is the kind of technology used by Amazon and Siri' s Echo to respond to human questions, ' Dr. Mesgarani said.

Vocoder algorithm was upgraded to translate brain activity from the help of Dr. Ashesh Dinesh Mehta - a neurosurgeon at Northwell Neuroscience Institute on Long Island.

'Working with Dr. Mehta, we asked patients with epilepsy who experienced brain surgery to listen to the words of different people, while we measured their brain activity. The Vocoder algorithm will familiarize itself with the transformation in the brain , 'Dr. Mesgarani commented.

After the familiarization process, the next stage begins. Patients hear a person reading numbers 0 to 9 while the algorithm scans the brain's activity and tries to translate it into sound. As a result, when a robot voice comes out, the outsider can understand and repeat it with up to 75% accuracy.

Despite the modest number, Dr. Mesgarani said that the result was above the previous level.

'This will be a game changer. It will tell people who lose their ability to speak due to injury or illness a new opportunity to connect with the world around , 'Dr. Mesgarani expressed.