10 Sci-Fi Tech That's So Close We Can Barely Contain Ourselves

9. Dream Recorders

Not to alarm anybody, but we have basically invented mind-reading. We've all seen the pictures of what Google's AI dreams of and it seems that computers don't so much dream of electric sheep so much as an awful lot of terrifying dogs and eyes. But what about the human mind? Caould we someday publish our dreams on the internet for all to see?

Well, Japanese scientists have managed to figure out a way to monitor your brain activity as you sleep and then process it (in much the same way as your own mind does) to reproduce images that you can watch back after you wake.

The basic concept is actually frustratingly simple. Essentially, when we see certain images in our minds, our brains will always generate the same patterns for the same image. So if you look at a pencil, your brain will always fire in the same way whenever you see that pencil. If those patterns can be mapped, then an algorithm can be used to figure out what you are visualising and essentially read your mind.

The technology is advancing quickly, so now might be a good time to get those fantasies about your tasty new co-worker under control. Just a heads up.