Training AI To Transform Brain Activity Into Text

Back in 2008, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking used a speech synthesizer program on an Apple II computer to "talk." He had to use hand controls to work the system, which became problematic as his case of Lou Gehrig's disease progressed. When he upgraded to a new device, called a "cheek switch," it detected when Hawking tensed the muscle in his cheek, helping him speak, write emails, or surf the Web. Now, neuroscientists at the University of California, San Francisco have come up with a far more advanced technology--an artificial intelligence program that can turn thoughts into text. In time, it has the potential to help millions of people with speech disabilities communicate with ease.