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This week, in the field of advanced technology, researchers have created a device capable of creating a speech simply by thinking about it, while China wants to ban "deepfakes".
That's the beginning, but the results of a recent study conducted by neuroscientists at UC San Francisco (UCSF) have shown incredible prospects for a brain-computer interface capable of generating synthetic speech. to the natural sound using brain activity to control a virtual vocal tract.
This anatomically detailed computer simulation includes the lips, jaw, tongue and larynx, and could one day give back to people who have lost the ability to speak due to paralysis or other forms neurological lesions.
"For the first time, this study demonstrates that we can generate complete spoken sentences based on the brain activity of an individual," said Edward Chang, professor of neurological surgery and a member of the team. UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience.
"It is an exalting proof of principle that with technology already within our reach, we should be able to build a clinically viable device in patients with speech loss."
However, this is not yet a perfect communication tool because, while the virtual voice path can reproduce the sound of a person's voice, it often includes confusing words.
Nevertheless, a major achievement has been achieved and researchers hope to improve it over the next few years. Their conclusions have been published for Nature.
"Deepfakes" can be made illegal in China
China Daily reported that the notorious use of 'deepfakes' – where artificial intelligence collects video and audio recordings of people, then uses them to create false representations – will likely be illegal in a one-party state.
The highest legislators in the country have recently raised concerns about technology. A draft law has been examined by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to make it a violation of the rights of portraits.
The bill states that no person or organization may distort the image of another person or imitate his voice with the help of AI or any such technology. . A senior legislator said that deepfakes not only affect individuals, but that this practice "also harms national security and the public interest".
The most serious incident to date was observed in February when the face of the actor Athena Chu was replaced by that of another great Chinese celebrity, Yang Mi, as part of a television show. The incident quickly became viral in China, raising the concern of the country's government.
Lasers can open the door to ultra-fast Wi-Fi
Researchers at Harvard's John A. A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science have demonstrated a semiconductor laser capable of emitting wireless microwaves, modulating them, and receiving signals. external radio frequency.
Leading author of the study, Federico Capbado, said that this research "opens the door to new types of electron-photonic hybrid devices and is the first step towards ultra-fast Wi-Fi".
The research builds on previous work in which a frequency infrared comb in a quantum cascade laser could be used to generate terahertz frequencies capable of moving data hundreds of times faster than current wireless platforms.
Later discovery showed that quantum cascade laser frequency combs could also transmit and receive coded information. Researchers have now found a way to extract and transmit wireless signals from these combs.
Marco Piccardo, first author of the article, said: "This all-in-one integrated device is very promising for wireless communications.
"Although the dream of wireless terahertz communication is yet to be found, this research provides a clear roadmap of how to achieve it."
Ford partners with Amazon to develop cloud computing services for autotech
Ford automaker – through its connected vehicle subsidiary, Autonomic – has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in one of the latest major collaborations between major US technologies and the automotive industry.
The multi-year global agreement would aim to "increase the availability of cloud connectivity services and connected car application development services for the transport sector". As part of this agreement, Autonomic's cloud service will be powered by AWS and will create partnership and business opportunities for automakers, public transport operators, large-scale fleet operators and developers. of software.
"One of the many common goals is to create a consistent framework for automakers and developers, allowing them to focus on creating some of the best possible experiences for customers using our connectivity systems," said Gavin Sherry , co-founder and CEO of Autonomic.
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