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A proof-of-concept neural brain implant providing speech

(arstechnica.com)
120 points LorenDB | 1 comments | 29 Jun 25 12:16 UTC | HN request time: 0.417s | source
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x187463 ◴[02 Jul 25 12:05 UTC] No.44442722[source]▶
Curious how much intentionality is required from the user to produce sounds. It would be unfortunate if this device just started firing off speech for what would otherwise be thoughts one would not say out loud. I suppose that depends on the mechanism required to activate the neurons to which the device is connected.
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1. EEBio ◴[02 Jul 25 21:54 UTC] No.44449250[source]▶
It’s intentional and requires quite a lot of focus.

The original paper [0] mentions electrodes are placed over Broca’s area (speech production, translates words to mouth movements) and motor area (adjusts the mouth movements). It’s attempted speech, not thoughts.

There is a lot of fear in mainstream media and populace of devices decoding thoughts, but that is a significantly harder problem, at this moment on the level of sci-fi of Civilisation Type II on Kardashev scale. There is a reason why the electrodes are not over Wernicke’s area instead (language comprehension and production).

0: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06377-x