The 21st century keeps coming with massive technological innovations and improvements. Electric cars and battery charging stations now find themselves in nearly every city. Smartphones with the power of a computer replaced bulky cell phones. Virtual reality headsets and high-power gaming PCs are elevating gaming to the next level. Even the way that we communicate and connect has permanently shifted thanks to innovations like social media and video calling. However, one technology that is far closer on the horizon than many may realize is wireless mind-reading tech.
It sounds like something out of a science fiction film, but the ability to read minds with technology is a very real possibility. Artificial intelligence and neural networks, improving neuroprosthetics, and other technological innovations are bringing the possibility of mind-reading technology closer and closer every day. In fact, to a limited extent, some of these wireless mind-reading technologies already exist.
What sort of wireless mind-reading technology exists currently? How does mind-reading technology work? How long until this sort of technology is commonplace?
What Sort of Wireless Mind-Reading Technology Exists Currently?
You may not even realize it, but mind-reading tech already exists to a certain extent. Have you ever noticed that your social media feed seems to suggest videos are posts that are hyperspecific to your current interests? Or have you ever found yourself interested in a product you saw online or on TV only for that same product to pop up on your social feed? Or maybe you’ve noticed that you interact with one post on Twitter and the next thing you know that topic is spread all over your timeline.
All of these are examples of the complex algorithms at play on social media and online websites. An algorithm is a complex set of mathematical rules and patterns that a computer follows. More often than not these algorithms on social media or online websites are used to increase traffic and generate interactions. These algorithms track and monitor the flow of data on every person’s device, and then use this data to analyze and suggest similar topics, products, or content.
A successful algorithm is a major reason for the success of many of the most popular online platforms today. With the ability to monitor and track all of your online activity, these algorithms can predict your tendencies and interests with a frightening level of accuracy. One of the most interesting examples of these mind-reading algorithms is the TikTok for you page. Numerous people have questioned how the FYP can be so scarily accurate at times. Often suggesting videos that the user themselves didn’t even realize they would be interested in. Social media and online web algorithms are some of the closest current examples of mind-reading technology.
How Does Mind-Reading Technology Work?
As aforementioned, some computer and social media algorithms can make predictions so accurately it feels like mind-reading tech. However, real companies are working towards developing true mind-reading technology. Whereas algorithms rely on tracking your data and interactions to make predictions and drive engagement, brain-computer interfaces can track your thoughts and neural impulses.
Brain-computer interface technology, or BCI, tracks neural impulses and uses those to perform basic actions. To this point only minor achievements like moving a cursor or typing a small sentence have been performed using this tech. However, the future of the technology seems limitless. Some of the more positive possibilities include helping those with disabilities or speech impediments to function more easily.
However, companies like Google, Facebook, and Tesla are investing heavily in this BCI tech. This is with the likely intention of gathering even more data about their customers and users. Eventually, neural implants will be used to track these impulses completely wirelessly.
How Long Until This Mind-Reading Tech is Commonplace?
As aforementioned, social media algorithms function as a sort of current form of wireless mind-reading technology. However, it seems most likely that true wireless mind-reading technology is still around a decade away from becoming truly commonplace. To this point, only very minor tasks such as moving a cursor across the screen or typing basic sentences have been performed using this tech. While these are truly incredible feats, it is a far stretch towards the implementation of this tech in any meaningful fashion.
As for the wireless element, companies like Tesla and their CEO Elon Musk seem to be leading the development charge. Musk has spoken frequently about his desire to produce neural implants that can help further integrate technology with humans. These neural implants could in theory boost both the neurological and physical capabilities of humans. But again, it appears that the sort of neurological tech is still a number of years away from being ready for public usage.
Conclusion
In summary, while wireless mind-reading technology seems like something out of a sci-fi film, it is a very real possibility. The technology is still likely a decade away from being ready for public consumption. But we can see instances of mind-reading tech in our society today through social media algorithms. The wireless mind-reading tech in development will function using brain-computer interface tech that tracks neurological impulses. To this point, this tech has only been able to complete basic tasks while using a wired connection. However, with massive companies worldwide investing in this tech, it seems that wireless neurological interfaces are somewhere on the near horizon.
