Technology Could Enable Computers To "Read The Minds" Of Users

New techniques under development could allow computers to respond to users' thoughts of frustration or boredom (too much or too little work) by applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology, which uses light to monitor brain blood flow as a proxy for user workload stress. Applying this noninvasive, portable imaging technology in new ways, the researchers hope to gain real-time insight into the brain's emotional cues.

Comments

Limited Use At Best

[moore.dustin]

Everyone is quick to dream up what technology like this could yield, but we are far from being able to apply this technology into anything truly useful.

We have an unimaginable amount of information on the brain anatomy and biology, but no real idea on how the brain works at a fundamental level. That information is vital to being able to make intelligent technology that can actually make use of stuff like is discussed in TFA. I am sure many have already read it, but there is a great book on the subject called On Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins. It talks about the study of the brain and why current attempts to create AI are doomed to failure.

Anyways, I thought I should mention the book as it opened my eyes and gave me great insight into the industry and our very remarkable brains. :)

Re:Bad idea.

[Trillan]

Heh. I might as well quit reading slashdot now. I'll never have a comment that brilliant again...