Once thought to be the modern version of the ghost story, technical details are beginning to appear online of a classified espionage tool employed by the British (MI6 & GCHQ) and American (NSA) intelligence services.
Looks like the future came about 20 years ago...
Whilst hard to believe, the basic operational details have been sensationally leaked online over the course of the last few months. In particular, the exact method of both reading and writing information to the brain by means of low frequency radio waves.
The articles reveal that we are all emitting weak radio signals that can reveal the neural networks that made them through complex digital signal processing techniques. By understanding the function of each network, which according to the article is a simple pattern matching process, private thoughts, feelings and even an individual's vision can be captured in near real-time.
At its most basic level, the author describes the stimulation of neurons, by low frequency radio waves, to reproduce images, inner monologue, thoughts and feelings. Rather than the direct encoding of information, such as that of a data connection, the technology employs a modified form of "replay attack" causing neurons to fire in an exact sequence that reproduces the desired information.
The author moves from a conceptual overview, essentially a schematic, of the entire system to describing a unique form of A.I. designed to run on supercomputing platforms. Both the backend processing and the A.I are described in lengthy detail and numerous examples of A.I. from around the web are compared with the technology. The conclusion, in the comments, is that the A.I. is similar in function to IBM's Watson, only with enhanced spacial and recognition skills which include some form of real-time sand-boxed 3D environment.
At a technical level, whilst the calculations and designs are rough around the edges, the principles and technology described should be well within the capabilities of a modern espionage group.
The articles appear to be a work in progress of one person's attempt to describe how the technology functions. As such, more articles are expected to follow in the near future. The articles dated the furthest back in time, would seem to be early attempts to describe the technology, whilst the newer articles take this information and refine it based upon new information.
The series of articles have caused both hostility and general acceptance in equal measure around the web. Although, most of the hostility appears to be one line off-hand comments designed to derail conversations, rather than any scientific disagreement.
For further information, check out his column on Newsvine. I have also provided direct links to all the articles (at the time of posting):
DeepThought's Guide
http://deepthought.newsvine.com
Synthetic Telepathy - The Hidden Truth
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/05/21/4322682-synthetic-telepathy-the-hidden-truth
Description: This is where the analysis really begins. Someone attempted to edit a page on Synthetic Telepathy on Wikipedia. This is a copy of the edit that was removed. Whilst these series of articles corrects many of the technical details, the Wikipedia article has some interesting additional claims.
Computer Mediated Synthetic Telepathy: A Conceptual Design
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/12/4497355-computer-mediated-synthetic-telepathy-a-conceptual-design
Description: A very high level overview of the architecture required. Whilst I assume it will not be the final revision, it outlines the basics of how the system functions and the Artificial Intelligence that underpins the system.
Advanced A.I. Scanning Facebook
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/16/4518628-advanced-ai-scanning-facebook
Description: Inferred abilities of A.I. functionality. Whilst not strictly related, it sets the base standard for what a modern A.I. can do.
Synthetic Telepathy - The Legal Question - Updated
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/20/4536056-synthetic-telepathy-the-legal-question-updated
Description: Examines the legal situation of such systems in the US and UK. Provides a strong argument that the use of such technology under existing law constitutes an act of terrorism.
Evaluating The A.I. Behind Synthetic Telepathy
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/26/4564331-evaluating-the-ai-behind-synthetic-telepathy
Description: Examines the capabilites of modern A.I. and reveals the strong A.I. behind this technology.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/07/13/4656599-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed
Description: The beginning of a discussion on the physics of two-way interfaces with the brain. The articles demonstrates that firing neurons emit a weak, low frequency, radio wave and that this compromising emanation can be related to neural activity.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed - Part 2
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/09/20/5139785-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed-part-2
Description: Demonstrate how the back-end processing system function and how weak radio signals, from the brain, can be interpreted to reveal thoughts, emotions, physical activity, external audio and vision.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed - Part 3
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/10/03/5223971-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed-part-3
Description: Refines the calculation required to detect a single neuron at orbital distances and determine the source to within 10m. Also includes some additional analysis.
The articles reveal that we are all emitting weak radio signals that can reveal the neural networks that made them through complex digital signal processing techniques. By understanding the function of each network, which according to the article is a simple pattern matching process, private thoughts, feelings and even an individual's vision can be captured in near real-time.
At its most basic level, the author describes the stimulation of neurons, by low frequency radio waves, to reproduce images, inner monologue, thoughts and feelings. Rather than the direct encoding of information, such as that of a data connection, the technology employs a modified form of "replay attack" causing neurons to fire in an exact sequence that reproduces the desired information.
The author moves from a conceptual overview, essentially a schematic, of the entire system to describing a unique form of A.I. designed to run on supercomputing platforms. Both the backend processing and the A.I are described in lengthy detail and numerous examples of A.I. from around the web are compared with the technology. The conclusion, in the comments, is that the A.I. is similar in function to IBM's Watson, only with enhanced spacial and recognition skills which include some form of real-time sand-boxed 3D environment.
At a technical level, whilst the calculations and designs are rough around the edges, the principles and technology described should be well within the capabilities of a modern espionage group.
The articles appear to be a work in progress of one person's attempt to describe how the technology functions. As such, more articles are expected to follow in the near future. The articles dated the furthest back in time, would seem to be early attempts to describe the technology, whilst the newer articles take this information and refine it based upon new information.
The series of articles have caused both hostility and general acceptance in equal measure around the web. Although, most of the hostility appears to be one line off-hand comments designed to derail conversations, rather than any scientific disagreement.
For further information, check out his column on Newsvine. I have also provided direct links to all the articles (at the time of posting):
DeepThought's Guide
http://deepthought.newsvine.com Synthetic Telepathy - The Hidden Truth
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/05/21/4322682-synthetic-telepathy-the-hidden-truth Description: This is where the analysis really begins. Someone attempted to edit a page on Synthetic Telepathy on Wikipedia. This is a copy of the edit that was removed. Whilst these series of articles corrects many of the technical details, the Wikipedia article has some interesting additional claims.
Computer Mediated Synthetic Telepathy: A Conceptual Design
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/12/4497355-computer-mediated-synthetic-telepathy-a-conceptual-design Description: A very high level overview of the architecture required. Whilst I assume it will not be the final revision, it outlines the basics of how the system functions and the Artificial Intelligence that underpins the system.
Advanced A.I. Scanning Facebook
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/16/4518628-advanced-ai-scanning-facebook Description: Inferred abilities of A.I. functionality. Whilst not strictly related, it sets the base standard for what a modern A.I. can do.
Synthetic Telepathy - The Legal Question - Updated
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/20/4536056-synthetic-telepathy-the-legal-question-updated Description: Examines the legal situation of such systems in the US and UK. Provides a strong argument that the use of such technology under existing law constitutes an act of terrorism.
Evaluating The A.I. Behind Synthetic Telepathy
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/26/4564331-evaluating-the-ai-behind-synthetic-telepathy Description: Examines the capabilites of modern A.I. and reveals the strong A.I. behind this technology.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/07/13/4656599-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed Description: The beginning of a discussion on the physics of two-way interfaces with the brain. The articles demonstrates that firing neurons emit a weak, low frequency, radio wave and that this compromising emanation can be related to neural activity.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed - Part 2
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/09/20/5139785-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed-part-2 Description: Demonstrate how the back-end processing system function and how weak radio signals, from the brain, can be interpreted to reveal thoughts, emotions, physical activity, external audio and vision.
Can A Satellite Read Your Thoughts? - Physics Revealed - Part 3
http://deepthought.newsvine.com/_news/2010/10/03/5223971-can-a-satellite-read-your-thoughts-physics-revealed-part-3 Description: Refines the calculation required to detect a single neuron at orbital distances and determine the source to within 10m. Also includes some additional analysis.
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