What's happening?

The year is 2043. You get into your car, which scans your brain and works out that you want to go home. When you arrive at your front door, your house knows what you want to eat and makes an order at a local takeaway.

Some scientists think that this could be the future. A recent study found Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligence, or "AI," is the ability for a computer to think and learn. With AI, computers can perform tasks that are typically done by people, including processing language, problem-solving, and learning. may be able to read our thoughts.

In the study, a group of people were shown a series of simple pictures. A machine was used to scan their brains, and an AIA computer programme that has been designed to think.  programme was able to use these scans to make an image that looked like the one they were thinking of.

Being able to read people's brains could be a good thing, some say. For example, AI could work out if people are sad and get them help. It could also be used to talk to people who are in hospital and cannot speak or move.

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But others think the risks are simply too great. They say we should be able to keep our thoughts privateBelonging to one person or group of people only. Also, the lowest rank of soldier in most armies. , and not have to worry about others looking into our minds.

Still, it might be too soon to worry. The AI programme the scientists used had probably already seen the pictures the people were shown. It may not be able to work out something they thought about entirelyCompletely. by themselves.

Yes! If we are unhappy, it is best that other people know. And if our thoughts were known to others, we would all be more honestBeing truthful in what you say and do..

No! We should always have the choice as to whether or not we let other people know what we are thinking.