Brain-to-orders
3 years ago, a 19-year-old guy from Colorado, USA had invented a mind-controlled prosthesis, his name is Easton LaChappelle, and this prosthesis was called Anthromod, the principle behind it was EEG(electroencephalography) based controlling, it means to use human brain waves to control robotic arms in order to help people with disabilities complete the most basic moves. Easton invented this arm because he met a 7-year-old girl born without arms when he was 14, so he kept self-taught on this area for 5 years. After his success, he even received the offer from NASA, also meet with President Obama because of his progressive invention.
Everything Easton did inspired
me to study science, but after being a science student, I was disappointed that I found out such EEG control could only return few useful distinguishable outputs, for example like below picture (only 5 outputs), also many research shows that human brain will create a unique noise wave when we blink, and this wave is distinguishable, so we have one more output for EEG.
Anyway, such a small amount of outputs is not enough to do many things, it turns out our brain waves are not like sound waves that each sentence we speak has a unique sound wave, it means no matter what we are thinking, the corresponding brain waves basically just look like the same.
Brain-to-text(slow one)
Let's see how is such amount not enough in other using case, for example brain-to-text. Currently, some EEG-based technologies for brain-controlled typing rely on measuring non-verbal movements of the head or eyes, enabling paralyzed people to type up to 8 words per minute, one popular example who was using such method to type was Stephen Hawking, there is also one more example you may know if you are into guitar topic--Jason Becker. Jason Becker is still composing music by such typing method with others help.( e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfPV9OmfZ28)
In a recent paper published in “Nature”, scientists have improved the EEG-based controlling technology, they have designed a new device that can convert brain signals into language directly without the need to work on any muscle, Machine Learning can directly read the brain, decode what it thinks, and achieve fluent communication.
Machine Learning
Learning exactly yet, in simple terms it just means giving an input (e.g. a photo) to a ML model, the model will return an output (e.g. dog) classifying the input, and training such model needs lots of times and works, I will give a simple example from my programs to show how model training works, for example as the GIF on the right side, above screen has two objects “Tim” and “GZ”, and below screen shows how the model is training, and finally the model learns which region “Tim” belongs to and which region “GZ” belongs, so next time when you randomly give an input(in this case it should be coordinate) to this model, the model will return you answer if the input is “Tim” or “GZ”.
Brain-to-text(fast one)
Again, It must be noted that the ECoG electrode array used in this technology needs to be placed in the brain through craniotomy as I mentioned before that ECoG records outside the cortex below the skull, so there is still a long way to go for wider applications.
Imagine that if Hawking was alive, with the help of this technology, he might no longer have to move the muscles on his cheek to spell words, and AI could really help him "open his mouth" and spread wisdom.
Brain-to-brain
Can we communicate with each other without text as a medium? (I mean we feel the contents from others by brain-waves directly but not by the texts decoded from brain-waves) I think it also depends on biology, we still have a long way to go.
Source:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/538b5960e4b07dc3ea21f4ef/t/5978ed2f15d5db539cab633d/1501097264973/ChiongLeonard2017EthicalConsiderationsECoG.pdf
Questions:
1. Would you like to chat by such "Telepathy" technology without any move of body instead of phone? (Suppose you can send/receive memes as brain-waves too)
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
Comments
Only chat? Man I would love to write programms that way, laying peacefully on the couch and programming "remotly" without the need to type every single thing. But receiving memes that way sounds a little spooky but fascinating at the same time.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
Yes, I was trying to create an AI for my Engineering Thesis. But not enough time and skills. It would be nice though to learn it a proper way and have a time for finding an answer of some specific problems using it.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
Maybe controlling a car using your brain or having a telepatic, intimic moments with your partner while being far away from them by some kind of device that may transport those waves to them and recieve such waves also.
You can learn about machine learning and neural networks in PJATK. It is interesting but this isn't direction i went with my IT knowledge so i guess my answer would be no, even though i actually learnt about it.
I think reading dreams would be pretty cool. It is already possible to make simple images from someone's dream but it would be really interesting to be able to watch it in better resolution.
I am also interested what was your source on Stephen Hawking using this kind of technology to communicate, as he was mostly using muscle in his cheek to type words that were read by voice synthesizer instead of what you wrote.
He probably tried this kind of communication but it wasn't major one that he used.
Definitely not, people would start cheating on each other in a very short time with even greater ease than now. I like the expression we have when talking to each other live, hearing the color of the other person's head. Expressing emotions through text messages, in my opinion, also has more value than this.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
No, this is not a field of interest. In my area of interest are databases if we are talking about computer science. However, this is a very important area in the future.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
A message of emotion is felt by the other person who receives it. If this were the case, if such a person could feel what the other person feels, communication would be much deeper.
I wonder if it's not too much integration into our minds. If we could talk through our thoughts, couldn't someone equally well read all our thoughts: our worries, dreams and secrets. I would prefer the real world to remain more separated from the virtual world.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
This topic is very hot now. I try to keep up to date with it and at least understand the ideas behind it. In fact, the current artificial intelligence is still very far behind the real one and we still have many years of development ahead of us.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
I think this technology can make a huge contribution to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Their brains can be connected directly to the exoskeleton, allowing them to move like a healthy person. In the same way, people who are in the so-called Locked-in syndrome could communicate with the world without any problems thanks to this technology.
1. I guess it is a interesting concept and if I had a oppourtunity I'd give it a go for sure. It could possibly re-define the way we communicate.
2. The whole concept seems very inetersting to a lot of people. However, I consider it super interesting only on paper. I guess it's just not my story.
3. I think we could manipulate mechanical devices. For instance, turn up a heating. It could be highly interesting concept for smart houses.
2. I not only would like to, but also do so. I really like this field of IT - it combines programming with mathematics, algorithmics and the ability to understand data or context of related fields of science. This area of study is becoming more and more popular in many different fields - from voice assistance through better web browsers to even such sophisticated applications as medical imagining.
3. Except from brain-to-text technology, it may be useful in e.g. manipulating prosthetic limbs, but also control other devices, such as mobile phones or household devices.
I think this would be a great technological achievement, and most likely it would be accepted to believe that humanity has reached great heights in the field of new technologies. But it seems to me that this would negatively affect a person’s lifestyle. People every year become more lazy, just imagine what will happen if people across the planet have such technologies. Maybe this would negatively affect the lifestyle.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
Yes, because it’s the technology of the future. Sometimes in the learning process we come across various separate AI tools, but in a global sense have not yet been studied. But I think this is a promising direction, and most students are interested in this. Not only students, and ordinary people, because AI has a wide range of functions and can be applied in almost all areas of life. I think that it is attractive.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
It seems to me that many areas of modern life will change their basic format and our familiar look. For example, if you take the field of science or education. Thus, it will be possible to pass exams, in which case the teacher will know exactly how prepared the student is for this test. Since he will read directly his streams of thoughts. But unfortunately, it will also be convenient for various scammers and intruders, because a very large amount of personal data may be more accessible.
Absolutely yes, I like innovations like this. Maybe not for everyday use but for spontaneous moments to have fun or maybe to make hard conversations where sometimes it is too hard to use words.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I learned ML for some time, and I even had a chance to work with AI in Orange. I had a chance to observe the whole process since the beginning of the idea and I could see how artificial intelligence evolve. That was a great experience.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
I would prefer to make brain-to-paints, or brain-to-draws. I would love to be able to create a painting or drawing exactly how I imagine. Unfortunately it never looks the same, or not even close to my expectations. Such technology would make my life much easier.
1. I think not. I have some concerns. I think it would be an artificial conversation. I would definitely not decide to chat by such "Telepathy" technology without any move of body instead of phone. Man was, is and will be the best partner for conversation.
2. I tried artificial intelligence and machine learning a bit. AI is interesting because you have to think a lot, but I did not like machine learning. AI is a very future-oriented and profitable IT field.
3. Hmm... This could be useful during police investigations. By controlling brain waves, you could "enter" the suspect's brain and learn the motive. Certainly it would allow to solve murders quickly and efficiently, at a low cost. In addition, the number of crimes would also decrease.
2. I'm not really interested in that. It's too complicated for me. In my spare time, I'd like to travel or spend time with friends.
3. I guess people who speak different languages could easily start communicating. If you "hack into someone else's brain," you can avoid unfair charges in courts, or better help a psychologically ill person. But like any invention, it can be used in bad cases as well...
2. Yes, AI technology is increasingly needed and will be used more and more often.
3. Surely there would be useful for people with disabilities to build devices that will help them daily functioning.
2. I'm an IT student and I don't realy like to learn AI deeper. It's not as interesting as I thought at the beginning. I imagine this being monotonous.
3. Maybe controlling a robot to bring you a snack from kitchen by using a brain-wave-controlling? I would definetly use that
2. There are such classess at our university, but that's not for me. I struggled to finish it with positive mark.
3. This could help people with disabilities - maybe controlling limbs or some devices. that would be life changing for them!
I think such technology can be very dangerous, anyone can somehow hack your thoughts or thoughts that are "telepathed" to you. Also such kind of communication is not common for human and can lead to personal psychology deseases.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
Yes it can handle a lot of tasks that humans are not so great at, but for me it's boring.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling?
Hmm. Have you watched "Avatar", people will use such technology at dangerous jobs. Also such technology can be used by militaries, they will be very interested int it.
2. It is a very interesting topic but I am interested more in software development.
3. For example, you thought about stealing somebody's car and the police can use that data to put you in jail
It is very interesting, I would love to try, but I think that just for one day tho. I think we would stop communicating in a traditional way, which would be super weird.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I'm interested in artificial intelligence, this is a very developmental field and certainly the future I don't like machine learning. I am actually using AI in my Engineering work.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
It would be very interesting to know other people's thoughts. We would not have false friends, murderers would not have a chance to conceal their crimes. I think that this technique will be available in the future.
Everyone is already mad by idea that cookies are used.
Imagine the same situation when someone could access your thoughts.
2. Yep, I am currently trying to start a career in ML. Because it’s ambitious, well-payed, it’s a future and it’s interesting.
3. I think the most useful and realistic implementation of brainwaves would be precise control over bionic prosthetics.
It would probably be a nice experience in the future but it sounds very creepy to me. What if the data is collected and used for other purposes?
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
Sure I would. Artificial intelligence is a very entertaining topic. And the selector slides that way. In the future we will see and see artificial intelligence in the system of many things.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
I've never thought about it, but we'd better remove the keyboard when you think everything is typed quickly. Eliminate the possibility of fatigue of the hands, everything was written easily from where you lay.
2. In my opinion AI is a very overhyped term and while machine learning can be a very useful tool in some cases, I'd rather spend my free time learning other aspects of IT.
3. We would be able to use computers without any I/O devices. The only thing needed would be the computing unit and an interface to our brain.
Yes I would, it would be awesome! Imaging talking to my friends without lifting fingers or letting them know on the party about something without others seems like a superpower to me.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
Yes, I was thinking about learning AI as it seems to be very futuristic jobs as AI can be used in so many things and it will be developed over time more and more.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
I would like to use my brain to controll other things. Imagine using your brain insted of smartphone to turn on your tv, make shopping or write a blog comment on this page instead of doing it on devices! Playing games just in your brain also seems to be very cool!
It would be definitely interesting experience. However, when I think it would be comfortable, it's a science-fiction-type idea. In my opinion we are still years behind such technology
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I think it's way harder that we may think and actually I'm not that interested in subject Machine Learning. There are a lot of passionate people who are born to do that, I'm not one of them.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling?
(Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
Moving around things with mind sounds really great. What I need more from mind controlling is to use a computer without using keyboard and mouse. Just imagine, programming, playing games with your brain!
I would love to, but only with some people. It could be a great problem if anyone could reach out to me using telepathy. If I would be able to “pair” myself like a Bluetooth device to somebody and then be able to talk to that person it would be amazing. Letting anyone to “call” me would be a nightmare.
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I am not an IT student, but actually I would love to learn such science. It has some unbelievable opportunities which would completely change a course of our work and living. I would love to be a part of that.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
I think that a possibility to generate pictures using our brains would be amazing. Our imagination already can create dreams and other real-looking pictures so why not discover its possibilities when it comes to sharing such scenes with others.
I have Telegram. close but not the same. but telepathy... hmm, what if we send memes to the wrong person?
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I already do learn, unfortunately, the technology is keeping going to develop itself, so we need to learn new things every day to catch the trends on it. Basically, AI is one of them.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
We could use this on disabled persons, that would be amazing opportunity i guess.
Well, I already tried to do this once, after which the desire to continue simply disappeared.
Well, it would be very embarrassing if someone could read my thoughts with the help of hacking, I would be very sorry for the person who would read them ...
2. I think Machine Learning is interesting. From what I have learned from the article, I think it helps to develop a new form of memorizing data and expressing oneself. It either may be useful in the future or it may help develop further and expand other learning methods for my brain.
3. I think robots need to be limited in function. I do not fully support this idea. Once again, I just want to see it will not harm anybody to adapt to it
That is very interesting from the science's point of view. The symbiosis of computer science and bio technologies can make (and makes) a huge progress in both those areas. I would like someday to try such a way of chatting, but for sure there would be a lot of questions about security. We all know that our phones are listening to us, so what would be if corporations have access even to our thoughts?
2. For the IT/other major students, would you like to learn AI(e.g. Machine Learning)/science in your free time? Why?
I am already studying machine learning, this area is very interesting for me because of its opportunities of applying. Now I'm mostly working on image processing, but someday I also want to try myself in other aspects of applying ML, such as banking or advertisements, for example.
3. Except for brain-to-text, what interesting idea do you have by using such brain-wave-controlling? (Suppose text-to-brain to hack your or others' bodies to control their actions will be possible too in the future)
First of all I finally want to hear what is doing inside cats' heads. In my opinion, it must be something incredible :D
Oh, I was very interested in AI and Machine Learning when I was doing my Bachelors, but looks like I’m not that smart :) It is very complicated and I admire people who can do it, they are geniuses!
I don’t really know, I mean I’d like to play games using my brain to control character, that’d be great. But the thing you said sounds horrible, and that exactly what I’m afraid of if we’re talking about any manipulations with brains. What if somebody will be able to take control of my body? Horrific. But if this technology is safe, I’m absolutely there for it.
What are "them" exactly that would make you feel embarrassing and sorry? I hope it is something legal hahahaa