Facebook is funding brain experiments to create a device that reads your mind
The news: In 2017, Facebook announced that it wanted to create a headband that would let people type at a speed of 100 words per minute, just by thinking. Now, the social-media giant has revealed that it has been financing extensive university research on human volunteers.
How? It’s developing “speech decoders” able to determine what people are trying to say by analyzing their brain signals. It’s important research as it can help show if a wearable brain-control device is feasible.
Eventually: Facebook wants to create a wearable headset that lets users control music or interact in virtual reality using their thoughts.
The ick factor: It’s an early example of a giant tech company being involved in getting hold of data directly from people’s minds. To some neuro-ethicists, that means we are going to need some rules, and fast, about how brain data is collected, stored, and used.
See the full story here: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614034/facebook-is-funding-brain-experiments-to-create-a-device-that-reads-your-mind/