'Muscle twitches'
University of California San Francisco scientists asked the patients to answer out loud a list of simple multiple-choice questions ordered randomly. And the algorithms learned to identify:- the question they had been asked, 75% of the time
- their chosen answer, 61% of the time
'Safe place'
Researcher David Moses said: "It's important to keep in mind that we achieved this using a very limited vocabulary - but in future studies we hope to increase the flexibility as well as the accuracy of what we can translate from brain activity." The study is published in Nature Communications. Image caption: Electrodes were temporarily placed on the surface of the brain of epilepsy patients "Ultimately, the researchers hope to reach a real-time decoding speed of 100 words per minute with a 1,000-word vocabulary and word error rate of less than 17%," Facebook wrote on its blog. "And by demonstrating a proof-of-concept using implanted electrodes as part of their effort to help patients with speech loss, we hope UCSF's work will inform our development of the decoding algorithms and technical specifications needed for a fully non-invasive, wearable device. "Rather than looking down at a phone screen or breaking out a laptop, we can maintain eye contact and retrieve useful information and context without ever missing a beat." Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Neuralink company has applied to US regulators for permission to start testing its own brain-hacking device on humans. Some in the field believe it is time to pause to consider the ethics of such research and the possibilities it opens for the future. "To me, the brain is the one safe place for freedom of thought, of fantasies and for dissent," neuro-ethicist Prof Nita Farahany told MIT Review.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Medical Laboratory Professionals threaten to strike over conditions of service
2 hours -
Residents of Anloga, Keta express frustration over ECG billing
3 hours -
I don’t believe in praying in tongues – Strongman
3 hours -
‘After The floods’: VRA and GMet clash over cause of Akosombo Dam spillage disaster
3 hours -
‘After The Floods’: Victims suffer harsh conditions 6 months after Akosombo dam disaster
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo to unveil Otumfuo commemorative stamp
4 hours -
EduSpots distributes over 100 tablets and laptops to 30 community-led education spaces
4 hours -
Taxation is driving away investors – FABAG General Secretary
4 hours -
Effutu MP commissions office for Hepatitis B; absorbs cost of testing, vaccination and management
4 hours -
Bawumia pushes for land digitisation to tackle land guard menace
5 hours -
Faith-based institutions are instrumental in national development – Bawumia
5 hours -
Upholding the Integrity of Presidential Promises: A call to Ghanaian leaders
5 hours -
I don’t start ‘beefs’; I only reply – Strongman refutes claims
5 hours -
Vice President Bawumia promises reforms to turn Ghana’s fortunes around
5 hours -
REGSEC warns encroachers along Tema-Sakumono Ramsar site as it races to prevent flooding
5 hours