What is Artificial Intelligence?

Intel-developed sensor will allow you to operate your computer, cell phones, TVs and other electronic gadgets through your brain

Intel is one of the well-known and leading manufacturer of the universally-used microchips or micro-processors in the history of computing. On the company's 40th year anniversary, CTO Justin Rattner, recalled how computers used to be large and attended by several specialists and how it has evolved to a more intelligent, multi-task systems. This year also, marks the company's objective to merge human and machine intelligence by developing brain sensor that will eventually control computers by the year 2020.

At Intel's research lab in Pittsburgh, scientists are studying about the human brain waves, how to read and harness them, so they can be used to operate computers, television sets and cell phones. Brain waves are harnessed through Intel-developed sensors implanted in the human brain.

Using FMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Intel scientists can decode specific brain activities. These machines "determine that blood flow changes in specific areas of the brain based on what word or image someone is thinking of. People tend to show the same brain patterns for similar thoughts" he added. This technology is the next step to less-intrusive brain-computer interface.

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Basic Task Switching game, Lumosity

As the brain ages neurons can degenerate over time. Studies show that as humans become older, so brains do. Aside from taking supplements that make our brains healthy, science suggests that we must give our brains a dose of regular mental exercises to keep them from dying young.

Lumosity and LiveScience teamed together to develop games that will help our brains get a regular tune-up. Their main purpose is to provide scientifically designed brain fitness program. This brain training program was developed by some of the leading experts in neuroscience and cognitive psychology from Stanford and UCSF.

Lumosity's featured games include Lost in Migration (Attention Game), Word Bubbles (Flexibility Game), Memory Matrix (Memory Game), Word Sort (Problem Solving) and more. Each of this game focus on certain areas that help develop focus, increase mind flexibility, sharpens memory, enhance pattern recognition and improved problem solving skills.

Lumosity games have been reported effective to develop clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, etc., increased alertness and awareness, elevated mood and better concentration at work or while driving.

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Below are some of the featured games. Click on any to play.

vOIce sunglasses kit

In this specific category, I have already discussed in previous articles some few technologies which can help the blinds visualize their environment. In lieu of comparison, I would like to discuss another valuable innovation which will enable the blinds to see using auditory sensors.

The vOIce, a vision technology for the totally blind developed by Peter Meijer, a Dutch scientist, allows the blind to represent visual information - to "see" - with sounds. There has been many designs created for vOIce. In its first launch, the gadget looked obtrusive, as in a camera, connected to a stereo headset is mounted on the head, and a laptop. Later designs were more comfortable, sophisticated and better visual effects. And more fashionable too.

Unlike cortical and retinal implants, vOIce, allows visualization of objects without any implants. In theory and experiment, the visual cortex can be responsive to sound, in turn translates this to images. vOIce works by using a video camera that captures and translates arbitrary images into sounds. The vOICe scans each camera snapshot from left to right, while associating height with pitch and brightness with loudness.

The vOIce Learning Edition is available in version 1.77 for Windows 95-98 to Windows 7. This synthetic vision software is a free downloadable software and has already been integrated in modern cellphone models.

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A chip implanted into a human brain attached to a gadget that reads the signal

Particular experiments are being conducted on different animal subjects to test the viability of the brain chip. We have seen the monkey at work with the robotic arm using its mind. And another, we've witnessed how a rat was removed of a part of its brain and inserted the same kind of chip. Both experiments showed the same results, that same electronic signals were sent to a robot, as the real thing.

Now the next question is, who gets to be implanted with the chip first? To answer this, I researched the web for some references, and mostly, the results were the same. The soldiers will have their brains implanted first!

In the news, the U.S. Military is attempting to create a troop of 'super-human soldiers' who will be more intelligent, swift and deadly.

These 'super-human' soldiers will be implanted with a brain chip that will vastly improve their memory of troops and recall and use every detail of their trainings efficiently to become more effective fighters. Researchers at the University of Southern California's bio-engineering department have created the chip, which acts in exactly the same way as the hippocampus - the part of the brain that deals with memory.

A monkey implanted with a brain chip to control a robotic arm

If you have read about my previous articles about brain-computer interfacing, here is another breakthrough in science that enables the brain to control a robotic arm by the power of thought.

Using artificial intelligence, researchers at Pittsburg conducted laboratory experiments on a monkey, implanted with a microchip into its brain. The brain chip, thinner than human hair and 4mm long, is directly implanted in the motor cortex portion of the brain, which controls the voluntary movement of the muscles. The chip captures the electrodes in the neurons, deciphers it and sends signals to move the robotic arm.

The robotic arm moved freely and with dexterity, as if, it moved on his own, or it may have been used with micro-controllers. However, the movement was directly controlled by the brain, in fact, the monkey was fastened, so there was no way that the test be biased. The subject didn't even show stressed or disturbed. Disregarding the monkey for a second, the robotic arm looked autonomous.

After a successful test with an animal subject, human experiments will be conducted over the next year. So you could imagine now, how the human subject will be implanted with a microchip!

Watch the actual laboratory test of the project here.