ICGH 105 Take Home Test: Artificially Intelligent Thought Scanners

This assignment presents a thought experiment exploring the potential of artificially intelligent brain scanners to alter human behavior. The core concept involves AI systems capable of scanning and modifying neural activity to eliminate negative thought patterns and promote rational decision-making. The author posits that such technology, drawing on advancements in AI and neuroscience, could address societal ills like violence and crime by directly influencing thought processes. The paper outlines the technology's manifestation, drawing parallels with the fourth industrial revolution and the social credit system in China. It addresses assumptions, such as the origin of all thoughts in the brain, and challenges them by considering environmental and cultural influences. The author argues that these AI systems could scan brain activity and alter electrical patterns, potentially leading to a world where harmful thoughts are prevented, thus fundamentally changing what it means to be human. The assignment also considers the practical deployment of such systems and their ethical implications, concluding that technology will significantly impact all aspects of life, including the ability to read and alter human thoughts.

Running head: ARTIFICIALLY INTELLIGENT THOUGHT SCANNERS
Artificially Intelligent Brain Scanners
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Summary of the Thought Experiment
The experiment simply looks at the potential that artificial intelligence has in
changing human behaviour for the better. Suppose some artificially intelligent systems that
could scan and alter the human brain. It is highly likely that we will have such systems in the
near future since technological advancements are happening at a very rapid rate. With these
kinds systems, it would be possible identify any negative thought patterns and alter it in such
a way that it changes from being negative to positive. Essentially, technology would be
employed to help make human beings absolute rational. As at the moment, man is the only
social primate endowed with the ability to think. Things might change in the future however,
with artificial intelligence making computers/ machines that are absolute rational and that can
‘force’ human beings to be such by altering the electrical configuration of their neural
systems. With such kind of developments, many ills of the modern society will be eliminated.
Such ills include but are not limited to murder, gender-based violence and child abuse. In a
society where technology is spreading like bush fire, it is only a matter of time before the
impossible becomes possible.
How the Technology Manifests Itself
The third industrial revolution was powered by the invention of the computer.
Economists and technology experts have been anticipating about the fourth industrial
revolution that will be powered by artificial intelligence. It would be true to say that the
fourth industrial revolution has already started. The developed nations have already started
using artificial intelligence to change the way we do things. The social credit system in China
is an example. Now, the technology explained above will manifest itself through artificial
intelligence. It will make use of artificial intelligence to scan through the thoughts of a human

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being and potentially alter them so that they become consistent with what the technology
(machine) will deem to be most rational thoughts. The machines will be somewhat like some
strong binoculars that see right through the brain of a human being. The difference between
the machine and the binoculars however, is that this machine will have the ability to read the
electrical configuration of neurons. It is this electrical configuration that codes for the kind of
impulses or information relayed by the brain. Therefore, having the ability to read and alter
this code will give the artificially intelligent machine great control over the brain of an
individual.
Assumptions
There are several starting assumptions with the above thought experiment. First, there
is an assumption that all the decisions and actions of a human being originate from the brain.
While there exists extensive evidence to show that the thoughts play an important role in
influencing the actions and behaviour of an individual, there are also some actions that come
as a result of accident, that is, unintentional acts. For instance, it is possible for one to
accidentally pull the trigger of a gun without intending to do so. While such actions are
extremely rare, one cannot help but appreciate that they do happen. Since the artificially
intelligent systems will be scanning for thoughts alone, it may be impossible for them to
prevent such an action since one cannot contemplate about causing an accident.
The other major assumption in that exists among the minds of many people and
scientists is that no one can be able to tell what is going on in the mind of another person.
Most people believe that is only a higher being or some form of deity that can be able to tell
what is happening in a person’s mind. The following section will focus on ways in which the
thought experiment can potentially challenge these kinds of assumptions.

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Challenging the Assumptions
The assumption that all thought patterns necessarily originate from the brain is not
quite true. Extensive evidence has revealed that there are so many factors that lead to though
formation. Although the brain is the immediate organ involved in contemplation and making
of a decision, the kind of thoughts that one may have in their mind may be influenced by
factors such as their environment, level of education, cultural background and their
profession. Here is an example. Suppose a person is brought up in a neighbourhood where
violence is a norm. There are high chances for the thoughts of such a person to be revolving
around violence. The artificially intelligent machine will save the day however since despite
the source of thoughts, it will help solve the problem of negative thoughts. When it comes to
the issue of reading and altering the mind of another person, it may be possible through
establishing the electrical configuration of the neurons.
Main Argument
With the great technological advancements in our contemporary society, there is a
future possibility of using artificially intelligent machines to scan the thoughts of a human
being. It has long been known that the human central nervous system makes use of neurons to
relay appropriate information to the different parts of the body (Sober, 2018). The Central
nervous system works together with the peripheral nervous system to relay information
(Pollard, Earnshaw, Lippincott-Schwartz & Johnson, 2016). An example here would be a
case where a hot object is placed on someone’s toe when that person is oblivious of what is
happening. The neurons suppling the toe would relay information of danger to the brain. The
brain would then react by stimulating the appropriate body systems so that the net effect is
withdrawal of the toe from the hot object. All this happens within the fraction of a second.

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Scientists have long discovered that there is a great deal of electrical configuration within the
neural networks, that is, electrical charges are highly essential in relaying of nerve impulses.
Having made these observations, it now becomes clearer of how artificially intelligent
systems can be used to scan the activities of the brain and know the most likely course of
action or decision that one is going to make. Suppose that those systems also had the ability
to later the electrical patterns going on in the brain so that they can influence a person to
make a different decision. Such technology would probably make the world a better place to
be. Following is an explanation of how such technology would change what it means to be a
human being. Naturally, a human being is bound to make good decisions at times and
probably not so good ones at other times. There are also individuals who are more likely to
engage in illegal or harmful activities than others. When the technology described above is
invented, it would help identify when one is about to make a bad decision and immediately
alter the thought patterns so that the person makes a good decision. Here is an example.
Suppose an individual wanted to kill an innocent person using a gun. The artificially
intelligent systems would be aware of the thoughts of such a person and immediately alter
them so that the person no longer kills. This technology would surely make our lives better. It
would mean that there are no longer such evils as gun violence, gender-based violence,
terrorism, domestic violence and many other ills observed in the modern society.
One may be wondering where these systems will be placed so that they can
potentially scan the thoughts of all individuals. A great way to deploy these systems would be
to use a system similar to that of google balloons. The google balloons (loons) are suspended
within the stratosphere and help supply even remote areas with internet connection (Hassabis,
Kumaran, Summerfield & Botvinick, 2017). These systems could be deployed in to the
stratosphere so that they have the ability to scan the brains of people within a certain locality.
Scientists estimate that technological advancements in the next one decade may be more

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advanced that the last one century has seen (Jackson, 2019). It is therefore important for
human beings to brace themselves with the likely changes that will revolutionize not only the
way we carry out our activities but also our ways of life. If in the current day we have
robotics that have the potential of thinking independently, it is only wise for human beings to
be ready for even more technological revolution. Hopefully, scientists developing these kinds
of technology will be ethical and maintain high standards of professionalism.
Conclusion
While imagining the future, one cannot help but appreciate that technology will affect
every facet of life. One thing that technology may help us achieve is the ability to read and
alter the brain of a human being. Using artificial intelligence, it is possible to come up with a
machine that can interpret the electrical configuration of nerve impulse to be able to tell the
message that they carry. Using such technology, it would be possible to tell what a person is
thinking. If they are thinking of doing evil, for example killing, those thoughts can be altered
so that they are no longer negative. The technology will be greatly helpful since it will help
human beings to be absolutely rational.

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References
Hassabis, D., Kumaran, D., Summerfield, C., & Botvinick, M. (2017). Neuroscience-inspired
artificial intelligence. Neuron, 95(2), 245-258.
Jackson, P. C. (2019). Introduction to artificial intelligence. Courier Dover Publications.
Pollard, T. D., Earnshaw, W. C., Lippincott-Schwartz, J., & Johnson, G. (2016). Cell Biology
E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Sober, E. (2018). Philosophy of biology. Routledge.