Chinese researchers have reportedly developed artificial intelligence (AI) that can read the minds of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials.
A video report detailed the software’s features and attributed it to the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, a relatively new institute focused on health and environment, energy research, information management and artificial intelligence.
The technology essentially tests one’s level of loyalty to the CCP. According to the center, it would “further solidify their [members’] confidence and determination to be grateful to the party, listen to the party and follow the party.”
In the video, subjects are seen sitting in front of kiosk displays and watching CCP-related content. Meanwhile, the software analyzes their brain signals, facial expressions and skin electrical responses to particular pieces of content.
At the end, the software would return a “loyalty score” based on metrics such as “emotional identification” and “learning attentiveness.” This score would determine whether the subjects need further education.
The report was published on July 1 but was pulled after eliciting public outcry. A total of 43 party members — who were also part of the research team — were said to have taken part in the experiment.
“This equipment is a kind of smart ideology, using AI technology to extract and integrate facial expressions, EEG readings and skin conductivity… making it possible to ascertain the levels of concentration, recognition and mastery of ideological and political education so as to better understand its effectiveness,” a description of the software stated, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA). “It can provide real data for organizers of ideological and political education, so they can keep improving their methods of education and enrich content.”
Song Da’an, a sociologist based in Anhui Province, pointed out that the technology was based on the polygraph, which law enforcement bodies use to detect lying. He said it shows that the CCP has become “more and more totalitarian.”
“They are using this technology to treat all party members as potential anti-CCP agents,” Song told RFA. “The use of this technology on officials demonstrates the sorry state of affairs within party ranks.”
Just two weeks ago, a Chinese university unveiled a device that reportedly detects when a person watches porn. Like the new loyalty software, the helmet-like apparatus was also dubbed a “mind reader” for its ability to track brain activity.
Featured Image via Pixabay
