New York based researchers have managed to remotely control a rat on a complex obstacle course. This is done by implanting three probes into its brain. Two give virtual sensory feedback to the brain -- like a fake tingling sensation. If the rat performs the right behaviour based on this sensation, it has its reward centre in the brain stimulated -- like a mini-orgasm. Reseachers can override the rat `default' behaviour this way, and get it to perform much better than a robot would (even with another 10 years of development).

I heard a radio interview of the scientist responsible, who admitted the rat is no where near capable of helping any earthquake victims or finding bombs. The rat cannot be located very well, or even controlled towards invisible areas. The show host raised the following pertinent point; why was the story hyped like this? I can think of three things, 1) Justifying short term research investment (it costs money, and funding bodies would be happy) 2) Good PR for the university, and this makes the big boss happy 3) Keeping public conscience away from animal rights!

Anyway, it's very interesting stuff for Artificial Intelligence too, as this can be modeled in a computer. In fact, my current navigation research takes exactly this same approach; stimulating a functioning host's senses and giving it reward for achieving the desired result (my system is now officially biologically inspired ;). I like to call this parasitic AI, and no doubt you'll be hearing more about it -- if not from me.

These articles are second rate, compared to the ones already posted above:

This seems like the ideal implant for Kevin Warwick! We could control what direction he's going in and what he's saying.

- Bob