Facebook parent company Meta says it has developed a way to scan a human brain and quickly replicate the images that the person is thinking about, using artificial intelligence.
The tech company described the development as a step forward in learning how our brains process and sculpt sensory signals.
“Using magnetoencephalography (MEG) we showcase an AI system capable of decoding the unfolding of visual representations in the brain with an unprecedented temporal resolution,” Meta said in a blog post on its website.
Many of the images, according to Meta, can be replicated with millisecond precision through what it describes as “a non-invasive neuroimaging technique in which thousands of brain activity measurements are taken per second.”
The images are not perfect replications, but incredibly close compared to what the subjects were shown nonetheless.
“While the generated images remain imperfect, the results suggest that the reconstructed image preserves a rich set of high-level features, such as object categories,” Meta said.
It added that the development could be a “stepping stone” towards helping people who suffer from neurological issues such as brain lesions, where certain individuals might have lost the ability to verbally communicate.
The company also discussed other potential uses for the technology, noting that it could “ultimately guide the development of AI systems designed to learn and reason like humans.”
In a related research study published on Meta website, the authors acknowledge the potential privacy concerns revolving around the development as well.
“While the decoding of brain activity promises to help a variety of brain-lesioned patients, the rapid advances of this technology raise several ethical considerations,” they wrote in the study titled Brain Decoding: Toward Real Time Reconstruction of Visual Perception.
“Most notably the necessity to preserve mental privacy.”
“The subjects’ consent is not only legal but also and primarily a technical requirement for brain decoding,” they added.
The authors of the paper went on to endorse open and peer-reviewed research standards.
Meta has increasingly poured resources into generative AI amid a Big Tech pivot to systems that can match or exceed human ability to generate text, video, images and other content.
Those resources and research have come to fruition in the form of an AI platform that can translate almost 100 languages, new AI models to make coding easier, and even AI stickers, to name a few initiatives and products.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
More on animal trafficking
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The years Ramadan fell in May
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
