The brain is an ever-present organ surrounded by a mysterious halo. It’s amazing how our ability to think and feel comes from a cell that weighs about 1.5 kg and uses it like a light bulb. So, trying is one of the great challenges of science Understand the variables involved in brain activity. However, the enormous amount of data handled while studying it and the difficulties in recording its signals require more complex and specialized equipment. Thanks to new devices and more computing power, Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the field of neuroscience. But this can turn out to be a danger and we must be prepared for it.
Teaching computers to think
The connection between neuroscience and AI practically started with the latter. John McCarthy coined the term artificial intelligence in 1956, and it was already being talked about in 1957. Artificial Neural Networks In computing, it tries to bridge the distance between the two sciences. These networks represented a shift in the computing paradigm because they allowed machines to automatically improve the results obtained when faced with a problem. therefore, Machines since then<கற்க>> DoneA trait hitherto reserved for living beings.
With the advancement of technology, computers gained processing and memory capacity, which allowed Study increasingly complex systems. In this way many doors were opened in various fields of study. Among them, astronomy or genetics stand out, where different computer programs allow them to organize and give meaning to the enormous data they handle, thus obtaining reliable results. Something similar happened in neuroscience, but in this case the most difficult thing was not to analyze the data, If you don’t get them.
How to study without touching the brain
The brain is protected Underneath the skin, bone, meninges and other layers of cells, accessing it to study it is a complex and dangerous process. However, activity can be measured without interacting with the brain. For this purpose, the brain waves, the electrical impulses that neurons use to communicate with each other. Typically, devices used to record waves resemble shower caps with sensors located on their surfaces. These devices are very useful Try to understand which areas are activated by certain stimuliBut they have a major drawback.
Measuring neural activity using extracranial sensors shares some similarities with trying to detect the taste of food in the oven from outside the kitchen. If we are in our parent’s house and have lived with them for years, we can detect a characteristic smell and, in our experience, more or less know what they are cooking and imagine the taste. However, if it’s the first invitation to dinner at a friend’s house, even if we get the signals, we don’t know how to interpret them until they invite us so many times that we know how to differentiate their recipes. So, doubts should be cleared on the first day itself Enter the kitchen and open the oven door Access the tray.
In neuroscience this procedure involves the use of an intracranial device. These devices are hyperthin membranes about the size of a seal that contain sensors similar to extracranial devices, although smaller due to space issues. Currently, Dozens of research groups around the world are developing this type of membrane Everything from implants to bionics should be improved.
A device developed by Duke University to interpret brain signals and translate them into pronunciation of words.
However, tests that can be performed with the devices are very limited Patients undergoing brain surgery for other reasons are required And they agree to participate. During the process, researchers have a window of a few minutes to perform experiments, but since the signals the device receives are very clean, this is usually enough to train these devices. Although tests are conducted They are not enough to read the patient’s mind.
Can you read minds?
In both cases, certain stimuli are used to measure the brain activity of the study volunteer. For example, a participant might be given two cards, one red and one blue, and have to identify which parts of the two are activated. After the training is over – which can last hours in the case of extracranial devices – by having the participant think about the color, the machine You can guess what you’re thinking about with a relatively high percentage. Now,If the patient thinks in yellow or black, the computer cannot distinguish between the signals and will try to look for similarities in red or blue, ie, He can only distinguish what he has previously taught.
The same thing happens when research is done with words. A trained computer can distinguish words previously shown to a volunteer, but it cannot vividly retrieve from memory the entire sentences that cross the volunteer’s head. Therefore, <Read on>> Thoughts with these devices are still in the realm of science fiction.
Female doctor operating MRI machine
The only way to achieve anything remotely similar Magnetic resonance imaging. They have achieved this by using powerful magnets to fully observe brain activity and train artificial intelligence. Reconstruct almost complete images or phrases that the volunteer thinks. Now, Infrastructure needed to use this technology is being created It is not possible to use it on a daily basis.
Rights and Responsibilities in Neuroscience
However, it is better to be prepared for the next developments in neuroscience. Although most programs attempt to increase the quality of life of patients with various types of neurological disorders, Careless use of this technology can endanger people. This is where government regulations come into play, after all, the neuroderechos each one. For this reason, Chile became The state is a pioneer in regulating this type of technology By including in its constitution Next part:
<<அறிவியல் மற்றும் தொழில்நுட்ப வளர்ச்சி மக்களின் சேவையில் இருக்கும் மற்றும் வாழ்க்கை மற்றும் உடல் மற்றும் மன ஒருமைப்பாடு மரியாதையுடன் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும். சட்டம் மக்களில் அதன் பயன்பாட்டிற்கான தேவைகள், நிபந்தனைகள் மற்றும் கட்டுப்பாடுகளை ஒழுங்குபடுத்தும், மேலும் குறிப்பாக மூளையின் செயல்பாட்டையும், அதிலிருந்து வரும் தகவல்களையும் பாதுகாக்க வேண்டும்>>.
In short, brain function makes each person unique and it is essential to protect its integrity and privacy. in this situation, It is better for companies to be one step ahead to guarantee a better future for the society. It is also important to ensure that neurotechnologies that will be developed in the coming years and that promise to improve brain capabilities are available to all people and do not promote inequality.
Although it is worth remembering For now, the news is encouraging. The technology is still in its infancy, and all indications are that advances will be slow and safe. In the future, neurologists will continue to bring joy to patients with certain neurological diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to study them regularly. In the end it always comes first Be cautious — or cautious — until the future of neuroscience learns what impact it might have on the brain.
