Is AI (Artificial Intelligent) reading your mind?
In a ground breaking achievement, scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed an AI model that can read people’s thoughts and translate them into text in real-time. The noninvasive AI system, known as semantic decoder, translates brain activity into a stream of texts, as reported in a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
At the helm of the study were Jerry Tang, a doctoral student in computer science, and Alex Huth, an assistant professor of neuroscience and computer science at UT Austin. They used a transformer model similar to the one that powers Google Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT to develop their innovative AI-based decoder. This technology is believed to have the potential to assist people with paralysis or disabilities.
Traditionally, dream interpretation methods have been used to interpret brain activity. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, newer methods of reading the human mind are being developed. In March of 2023, Japanese scientists recreated high-resolution images from brain activity scans using stable diffusion. And now, the team at UT Austin has developed a technology that can read thoughts in a non-invasive manner, a feat never before achieved in the history of neuroscience or medical science.
During the study, three participants were assigned to MRI machines and asked to listen to stories. The researchers claim that the technology produced the text of the participants’ thoughts without the help of any brain implant. It is important to note that the mind-reading technology captured the main points of their thoughts and not their entire thought processes.
Regarding the accomplishment, Huth remarked, “This is a significant advancement compared to previous noninvasive methods, which generally only captured single words or short sentences. We have now succeeded in decoding continuous language with complex ideas for extended durations using the model.”
The AI system, as per the researchers, can produce a continuous flow of text when a participant is either listening to or envisioning a story. The researchers are optimistic that the AI system will be able to achieve this feat once it undergoes full training. During the study, the scientists utilized technology similar to ChatGPT to interpret the thoughts of participants as they watched silent films or imagined themselves narrating a story. Nonetheless, this groundbreaking research has also sparked concerns regarding mental privacy.
The researchers hope that their breakthrough can provide assistance to people with disabilities. The newly developed AI-based decoder has the potential to translate brain activities into a stream of text, allowing people’s thoughts to be read in a non-invasive manner. This achievement is a significant leap forward in the field of neuroscience and medical science in general.
In addition to Tang and Huth, Amanda LeBel, a former research assistant at the Huth Lab, and Shailee Jain, a computer science graduate at UT Austin, also made significant contributions to the study.
Overall, the development of an AI model that can read people’s thoughts and translate them into text in real-time is a major scientific breakthrough. It has the potential to significantly impact the medical field and help individuals with disabilities. However, it also raises concerns about mental privacy and the ethical implications of such a technology. As technology continues to advance, it is important to consider the potential consequences and benefits of its use.