Researchers at Stanford University developed a brain-computer interface that can translate users’ inner speech into spoken words. The device enabled four paralyzed patients to communicate, marking a significant milestone in this field. Previously, attempts to vocalize thoughts through devices existed, as seen in the efforts surrounding Stephen Hawking, but practical, reliable solutions remained elusive. BCI technologies attempted to initiate communication by monitoring signals in the motor cortex when users tried to speak; however, this process was tiring. Therefore, scientists aimed to develop a system that could convert the sentences imagined in the mind into speech.
Currently, the technology brings some concerns related to the capability of accessing thoughts. This raises discussions on mind reading and data security issues. How are thoughts read? In the experiment, a cap placed on the motor cortex of four participants showed that speech initiation and inner dialogue are represented in the same regions—the middle to ventral parts of the precentral gyrus. As a clear result, the BCI was able to analyze internal monologues in real time with a vocabulary of 125,000 words and approximately 70% accuracy.
A small computer implanted in the brain can perceive the thoughts and inner dialogues passing through a person’s mind and convert them into a format that others can hear. At this stage, hacking someone’s thoughts with this technology seems unlikely; the work remains at a proof-of-concept level and has not been presented as a complete final product. However, in the coming years, it is possible to see the potential of such devices to help people speak. For increased success, elements like sensitivity, complexity, and accuracy will need significant improvements.
