When Thoughts Become Speech: How brain implants are helping those suffering from ALS, paralysis, and other disabilities speak again.
Imagine knowing exactly what you wish to say, but being unable to speak a single word of it. ALS and several other disabilities cause people to quickly lose control of their muscles, making it often difficult to communicate [1]. Despite the inability to control muscles or speak, most patients still retain their thoughts and want to communicate them. While current solutions do exist, they are not very effective or useful. Often, they are slow and frustrating to the patients [2]. Recent advancements in brain-computer interfaces, as well as artificial intelligence are proving to come closer to restoring a patients full ability to communicate.
Why Communication Loss is such a Challenge for those with ALS
ALS over time affects a person's ability to use their own muscles, including muscles needed for speech. However, just because they can’t speak it they are almost fully mentally aware and still have thoughts and a desire to communicate. Losing the ability to communicate makes it very challenging to maintain independence and relationships at the same time. Not being able to speak means you will never have conversations with others, which makes it hard to make friends, partners, and more, but also you are reliant on others to aid with most simple tasks in life. While communication is critical for exchanging information it is just as important to be able to connect with others, lowering their social connections instantly [2], [3].
How can a Brain Implant Turn Thoughts into Speech
Brain Computer Interfaces(BCIs) are electronic devices that are connected directly to a patient's brain, either mounted inside their skull or simply just on the outside. Electrodes are then able to detect and understand brain activity and thoughts via neuron signals in the brain. Nowadays with AI, models are trained to recognize and interpret speech based off of these signals. With various developing algorithms, including AI, software is able to turn the thoughts of the patient into the words they are trying to say, either typed out or spoken out [1], [4]. These devices, particularly recently, have seen a significant improvement in both speed and accuracy. Without the use of AI, researchers struggled to create these algorithms that really understand the patients thoughts directly. Previously the BCIs would aid the patient by displaying a digital keyboard and the person would emulate attempting to use a cursor mouse. Now all they have to do is simply think of what they want to happen, and it will work [5], [6]. Research continues to explore both invasive and non-invasive devices. Invasive devices prove to work much more accurately, however they require intense, and as implied, invasive surgery. Comparatively non-invasive devices do not perform nearly as well, but are a very simple and short-term thing for the patients, they can freely stop it with minimal risks [7], [8].
The Major Breakthrough that is Changing Communication
A study was recently conducted on a 45-year-old male with ALS, who could not speak naturally. He underwent surgery to get a brain implant, which was paired with new artificial intelligence software. With the new device he was really able to get his voice back. They developed a personalized synthetic voice just for him. Then, again thanks to artificial intelligence, in real time his thoughts were translated as the synthetic voice spoke what he thought. Researchers were able to obtain 97% accuracy, which is extremely impressive considering how quickly they jumped from slow systems to real-time, accurate translations. For the future, as more patients are able to get these devices they will have a muhc less significant barrier from the world. They will not need as much aid from other humans, be able to express exactly what they want, and most importantly connect with other humans with out major barriers [3], [7], [9]. Researchers are excited with these results as it is by far the best they have seen, and know it will only continue to progress and get better. Now the main focus is on expanding the devices to be equipped in more patients as they have achieved great results with one. While his results are good, as more people try it out it may prove to not be as effective with others.
What still needs to be Solved
While this technology is very exciting and beneficial, there are large drawbacks heavily surrounded by regulation and ethics. By the very nature of the device, they are wired straight to the patient's brains, with access to ones most sensitive thoughts and innumerable vulnerabilities. Unlike a phone which you can just power off, leave behind or even throw away, these are permanent and could constantly monitor. As development progresses, people call for heavy regulation regarding privacy and security of BCIs [8], [10], [11]. If these devices are easily hacked patients face major privacy violations, which could be heavily exploited; in addition, malware could permanently harm the person using it. As far as data goes, typically on phones softwares will sell as much of your data as they can to better target advertisements to you, similar processes on these devices would be pretty unfair as their is zero barrier between the user and the device [12]. BCIs and artificial intelligence are very exciting however, significant effort needs to be put into regulation of privacy and security of them.
Conclusion
Speech is a fundamental part of human nature and ones ability to be social. Many people lose or can’t speak and BCIs offer the solution to a more quality life for them. BCIs create independence and connection where without them it would be near nonexistent. Current devices are promising however there is a long way to go until we see them widely used and reliable all the time.
References
[3] N. S. Card, M. Wairagkar, C. Iacobacci, X. Hou, T. Singer-Clark, F. R. Willett, E. M. Kunz, C. Fan, M. Vahdati Nia, D. R. Deo, A. Srinivasan, E. Y. Choi, M. F. Glasser, L. R. Hochberg, J. M. Henderson, K. Shahlaie, S. D. Stavisky, and D. M. Brandman, "An Accurate and Rapidly Calibrating Speech Neuroprosthesis," New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 391, no. 7, pp. 609–618, Aug. 2024.
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