Intel Displays ‘Mind-reading’ Computers

Technological advancement seems to know no bounds particularly since the advent of computers. For many years, many have wondered what it would be like if they could read the minds of other people. Just imagine a kind of x-ray gadget that reads people’s thoughts and predicts their next course of action pretty accurately. Well, it appears that sooner or later you will no longer have to wonder or wish you knew what the next person to you was thinking anymore thanks to Intel Corp.

Computer programs that reveal what people are thinking about has been displayed by Intel Corp in New York according to Yahoo. The technology uses ‘functional MRI scans’ to assess and reveal what parts of an individual’s brain is activated as they think about various items and the results so far have been quite positive and encouraging.

Quite remarkably the software guessed correctly which of two words a person was thinking about with 90% accuracy. Analysts say that the technology would eventually become very useful to severely disabled individuals who find it difficult to communicate. However, there is bound to be many more advantages of having such technology available from law enforcement to going out on a date (lol). Still in its early stages of development, the technology is unable to analyze abstract thoughts just yet.

Talking Point

Do you agree with those who suggest that mind-reading computers, if successful,  would take business away from psychics and fortune tellers? What other effects do you think such technology would have on the society at large?