Mind-Reading Tech Coming to a Law Firm Near You?
Imagine you are taking a deposition, and the witness doesn't answer your question.
With artificial intelligence, that might not be a problem. MIT researchers have developed software that can read minds.
In other words, or without words, you can get answers to questions telepathically. This may sound like science fiction, but doesn't everything these days?
Translating Thoughts
So far, the developers have created a face-mounted device that performs real-time conversion of thoughts to text. Electrodes on the device send brain signals to software that translates them into words.
Computer World says it replaces "vocalization with subvocalization." It's the next step beyond the device that uttered Stephen Hawking's last words, may he rest in peace.
It opens more possibilities for lawyers than dictation and research. Depositions -- and requests for protective orders from the technology -- may never be the same.
Attorneys may not get a witness to put on a face-mounted device for questioning, but they may use the mind-reading technology to communicate silently in the background. Wouldn't you want a computer to fact-check for you while a witness is testifying?
Silent Communication
With digital assistants doing almost everything by voice-command, the mind-reading software adds a whole 'nother level to an increasingly virtual world. You could just "think" your commands.
Alexa, turn on some soft music. Google, dim the lights. Siri, oh wait.
"Sorry, honey, I was thinking of my digital assistant." This could get complicated. Ya think?
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- Legal Scholars, Engineers Fight Against War Robots (FindLaw's Technologist)
