Algorithms can accurately read human thoughts

Using magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activity, scientists can read human thoughts.

A person having his brain scanned. Illustration: Guardian.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, USA, have developed an algorithm that can decode human thoughts using MRI brain scans, Popular Mechanic reported on June 27. The algorithm helps researchers understand how the brain works and forms complex themes.

The brain can create thoughts ranging from simple to extremely complex. Complex thoughts are broken down into small segments by the brain, each segment corresponding to an aspect of the thought.

The brain uses an "alphabet" of about 42 elements, each of which corresponds to awith a specific concept such as size, color, or location. When combining elements, the brain creates complex thoughts.

Each "letter" in the brain's alphabet is controlled by a different part of the brain. According to this principle, when using an MRI machine to study brain activity, scientists can determine what a person is thinking.

The new algorithm uses MRI scans to understand the corresponding thoughts generated in the brain, then predicts what a thought in an MRI scan would look like. The algorithm achieved 87% accuracy in the study.

The technology is not being used to secretly read people's minds, but it is exciting enough for neuroscientists. The research is aimed at explaining how people think, thereby solving one of the many mysteries of the human mind.

According to VNE