Major medical breakthrough: Scientists create device that turns your thoughts Into speech instantly

In a groundbreaking development, scientists have created a mind-reading device capable of translating thoughts into spoken words in real-time. Though still in the experimental phase, the researchers hope that this brain-computer interface (BCI) will eventually help those who have lost the ability to speak regain their voice.

The device was tested on a 47-year-old woman who had been unable to speak for 18 years due to quadriplegia caused by a stroke. During a clinical trial, doctors implanted the device into her brain, allowing it to convert her thoughts into fluent sentences, as described in a study published in Nature Neuroscience on Monday.

Unlike previous brain-computer interfaces, which experience slight delays in translating thoughts into speech, this new device eliminates that lag, enabling smooth and natural conversations. Existing BCIs often disrupt the flow of speech due to these delays, leading to miscommunication and frustration. However, this new approach, which streams speech in real-time, marks a significant advancement in the field.

Researchers recorded the woman's brain activity as she silently spoke sentences in her mind. The team then used a synthesizer to recreate her voice, which she had before her injury. An artificial intelligence model was trained to translate the neural signals into sound, converting the woman’s brain activity into the speech she intended to produce.

The implant, placed on the speech center of the brain, listens to and translates neural signals into sound units that form complete sentences. Unlike previous systems, this method processes speech on the fly, breaking it down into 80-millisecond chunks—roughly half a syllable—rather than waiting for a full sentence to be formed.

Jonathan Brumberg, a speech and neuroscience expert at the University of Kansas, praised the new system, noting that its speed and naturalness of speech were significant improvements over previous models. While the technology is still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize communication for those who are unable to speak.

The team’s research was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Anumanchipalli, one of the lead researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, stated that although more research is needed, with continued investment, the device could become available to patients within the next decade.