Say what?! An AI system can decode brain signals into speech

AI algorithms can help scientists process brain waves and convert them directly into speech, according to new research. "Our voices help connect us to our friends, family and the world around us, which is why losing the power of one's voice due to injury or disease is so devastating," said Nima Mesgarani, senior author of the paper published in Scientific Reports and a researcher at Columbia University. "With today's study, we have a potential way to restore that power. We've shown that, with the right technology, these people's thoughts could be decoded and understood by any listener." Neurons in our brain's auditory cortex are excited whenever we listen to people speak – or even imagine people speaking.