Published 11:11 IST, April 15th 2019

Internet of Thoughts: You might gain knowledge by simply thinking about topics in the future

Our brains may someday be able to directly connect to vast cloud-computing networks in real time, allowing us to gain a Matrix-style instant access to the world's knowledge by simply thinking about a specific topic, scientists claim.

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Our brains may someday be able to directly connect to vast cloud-computing networks in real time, allowing us to gain a Matrix-style instant access to world's knowledge by simply thinking about a specific topic, scientists claim.

According to a research published in journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, exponential progress in nanotechnology, nanomedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and computation will le this century to development of a "Human Brain/Cloud Interface" (B/CI).

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B/CI concept was initially proposed by futurist-author-inventor Ray Kurzweil, who suggested that neural nanorobots could be used to connect neocortex of human brain to a "syntic neocortex" in cloud. 

Our wrinkled neocortex is smartest, 'conscious' part of brain, according to researchers from University of California, Berkeley and Institute for Molecular Manufacturing in US.

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Robert Freitas, senior author of research, proposed neural nanorobots would provide direct, real-time monitoring and control of signals to and from brain cells.

"se devices would navigate human vasculature, cross blood-brain barrier, and precisely autoposition mselves among, or even within brain cells," Freitas said in a statement.

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"y would n wirelessly transmit encoded information to and from a cloud-based supercomputer network for real-time brain-state monitoring and data extraction," he said.

This cortex in cloud would allow "Matrix"-style downloing of information to brain, group claims.

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"A human B/CI system mediated by neuralnanorobotics could empower individuals with instantaneous access to all cumulative human knowledge available in cloud, while significantly improving human learning capacities and intelligence," said Nuno Martins, le author of research.

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B/CI technology might also allow us to create a future "global superbrain" that would connect networks of individual human brains and AIs to enable collective thought.

"While not yet particularly sophisticated, an experimental human 'BrainNet' system has alrey been tested, enabling thought-driven information exchange via cloud between individual brains," said Martins.

"It used electrical signals recorded through skull of 'senders' and magnetic stimulation through skull of 'receivers,' allowing for performing cooperative tasks," he said.

"With vance of neuralnanorobotics, we envisage future creation of 'superbrains' that can harness thoughts and thinking power of any number of humans and machines in real time," he ded.

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This shared cognition could revolutionise democracy, enhance empathy, and ultimately unite culturally diverse groups into a truly global society, researchers said.

According to group's estimates, even existing supercomputers have processing speeds capable of handling necessary volumes of neural data for B/CI.

Rar, transferring neural data to and from supercomputers in cloud is likely to be ultimate bottleneck in B/CI development.

One solution proposed by authors is use of 'magnetoelectric nanoparticles' to effectively amplify communication between neurons and cloud.

Getting se nanoparticles and nanorobots safely into brain via circulation, would be perhaps greatest challenge of all in B/CI, researchers said.

11:11 IST, April 15th 2019