“We know what is in your mind” – The Development of ‘Mind-Reading Technology’
In our society, people probably have wondered about what is in one’s mind. We are always curious about what others think; but we cannot just dissect their brains to figure out. Now there is an alternate way to do this. The ‘mind-reading machines’ have been developed. Scientists have developed a computerized mind-reading technique which lets them accurately predict the images that people are looking at by monitoring brain activity.
Scientists at the University of California have developed a computational model that uses functional MRI (fMRI) data to decode information from an individual’s visual cortex – the part of the brain responsible for processing visual stimuli.
The scientists have tested three of their members in fMRI to watch videos and they have figured out that blood is gathered at a certain part of the brain when members watched a specific video. For example, the scientists compare the different signals of brain when two different images of a hammer and ball are watched. Based on the database, they have developed a computer program that selects the most similar image of the actual image. This computer program also selects number of the most similar videos and engrafts them into one video. The scientists say that the study raises the possibility in the future of the technology being harnessed to visualize scenes from a person’s dreams or memory.
Furthermore, there is a similar machine developed in Korea in 2009. The team has made a motion detecting system that expresses a delicate face expression into an exaggerated face motion. This technology allows a machine to read a very detail change on face and possibly detect expressions of people. This technology is similar to a recent digital camera mode which automatically takes picture once people smile. There has been 88% of successful reading of the face when Dr. Kim’s team has tested on 20 people.
Moreover, United States also has a system that is much like a movie, “Minority report” which introduces a system that predicts crimes and prevents them beforehand. The cameras and sensors check people’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature to find out people with intention of committing crimes.
There have been different approaches to sort out liars through lie-detecting machine. Even though this machine is not reading one’s mind, it could be seen as application of detecting a change in mind state; breathing rate, blood pressure, and heartbeat will likely be different if one is telling a lie, and feel nervous.
Unfortunately, we cannot just accept and apply this continuous development of new techniques to our lives. Even though these machines could make our lives convenient, there is a risk. It has potential to disrupt individual’s private rights and result in moral violation. We should be aware that there is no scientific evidence about the accuracy of machines. Therefore, communicating skills to deal with this dilemma, further supports to provide evidences, and enough discussion on pros and cons of ‘the new’ are required for accepting new technology in science.
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October 3rd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Wow that’s awesome! If we can prefect this kind of technology then the world would be a much better place.
October 4th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
It’s pretty scary. It would take a long time before people know how to control these machines so that they don’t read everyone’s mind. I know it’s amazing technology, but the fact that some little machine might read what’s on my mind doesn’t make me feel safer.
October 5th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I read a newspaper article, I believe in the Vancouver Sun, on a topic very similar to this.
Scientists were trying to get a computer to actually re-create the image that a person was looking at based on their brain stimulation, not just select the image from a database.
They were thinking that this may allow for the interpretation of dreams. Could be quite interesting to have a computer record your dreams. I can never remember mine the next morning.
October 5th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Yes, I think what you saw is similar to what i saw. There is more details about mind-reading study on youtube link I put. I believe that right now the technique is quite simple as finding out what a person is seeing(thinking) from the database of fMRI rather than their memories. I cut some of parts out because there was word limits so I tried to minimize my writing. But yes they are trying to get more detailed works and once this technique is fully developed they will be able to visualize what is in one’s mind as video clip.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:52 am
One of the things that was mentioned during class was the potential of applying such ‘mind-reading’ techniques in a “1984”-esque way. That actually brings up an interesting point of discussion.
Since we’re constantly monitored in public spaces (surveillance cameras in the streets, and hidden microphones on buses, just to name a few), being scanned for ‘thoughtcrime’ using this technology might just happen in the future.
To what extent is society willing to go to ensure the safety of their citizens in exchange for their privacy? Construct those tin-foil hats and think up of conspiracy theories now, before the government decides it’s a brilliant idea to probe into the minds of people 🙂
October 8th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Actually the youtube or news I read only meantioned about what they have developed. Even though images are simple now, it is just a surprise that we can actually read people; the technology is not as modified yet, so not sure what solutions will answer our concerns about privacy in the future. I am also interested to what extend they are willing to develope and apply this technique.
I guess they will figure out what to do once they already have the ‘full version’ of the technique?
I totally did not think about 1984 until someone mentioned it in class. I don’t think we can go that bad… I am now bit scared by this…