Access

Published online 29 May 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.864

News

Computer model knows what you're thinking

Researchers can predict which noun a person is visualizing.

Kerri Smith

A computer model has been developed that can predict what word you are thinking of. The model may help to resolve questions about how the brain processes words and language, and might even lead to techniques for decoding people’s thoughts.

Comments

Reader comments are usually moderated after posting. If you find something offensive or inappropriate, you can speed this process by clicking 'Report this comment' (or, if that doesn't work for you, email webadmin@nature.com). For more controversial topics, we reserve the right to moderate before comments are published.

  • Hi, In the deepness of thought as with the deepness of time that a computer can read my thoughts is illuminating, I can not. Regards Dr. Terence Hale

    • 02 Jun, 2008
    • Posted by: Terence Hale

  • Its not really reading thoughts as simple trial and error through scanning a massive data base with a statisical algorthym using brute digital force. This research may be usefull for a human computor interface but does not capture the complex network that allows a real brain to learn and use words in a creative way. Yet this proccess cannot at the same time anticipate itself. i think thats what your saying Terence..! thanks

    • 02 Jun, 2008
    • Posted by: David Julian