Scientists want to implant prisoners with ‘memories’ of their crimes that show the victim’s perspective

A scientist has unveiled a concept for a prison of the future that he claims would speed up a criminal’s release to minutes, rather than years or decades.

The design would be implanted with the name Cognify synthetic memories of a person’s crime in the brain, but show the victim’s perspective.

The system could include a VR-like device that displays AI-generated images of the violation, linked to a brain implant that induces emotional states such as remorse or regret — feelings that some individuals may not produce on their own.

The concept, developed by Hashem Al-Ghailiwould ensure the long-term effects of the therapy session by making the memories permanent.

There are currently more than 1.7 million people incarcerated in the US.

While officials have long said prison deters offenders from future crimes, more than 100 studies from 2021 found prison does not deter people from committing crimes again.

With this in mind, Al-Ghaili looks to the future with a prison that he believes will help criminals learn from their past.

“Cognify could one day create and implant artificial memories directly into the prisoner’s brain,” according to a narrative video.

‘These complex, vivid and lifelike memories are created in real time using AI-generated content.

Although the rehabilitation would take a few minutes, it seemed like years to the criminal.

“In the criminal’s mind, time would otherwise pass more slowly than in real life, causing him to experience years,” the video said.

Depending on the severity of the crime and the subject’s punishment, the memories can be tailored to each subject’s rehabilitative needs.”

Prisoners undergo a high-resolution brain scan that creates a detailed map of their neural pathways.

The map allows the Cognify device to target specific areas of the brain responsible for memory, reasoning and logical thinking.

These tasks are found in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, parietal lobe and anterior cingulate cortex.

The device gets to work by showing the inmate AI-generated memories of their crimes, including domestic violence, hate crimes and misappropriation discrimination, insider trading, theft and fraud.

In addition to visual effects, the technology could also stimulate a physical response by making the perpetrator feel the pain and suffering their victim endured.

“Some memories are designed to cause consequences and trauma,” the video said.

“Such memories can simulate the long-term consequences of violent actions, such as the grief of the victim’s family or the physical and emotional trauma the victim has suffered.”

The pods open to reveal men standing in each pod, with the Cognify device over their heads and what appears to be a display over their eyes and headphones over their ears – immersing them in the AI-generated memories

The six-minute, 22-second clip, posted to Al-Ghaii’s social media accounts, begins with a look at a white room with 19 pods against the wall.

The pods open to reveal men standing in each pod, with the Cognify device over their heads and what appears to be a display over their eyes and headphones over their ears – immersing them in the AI-generated memories.

“The artificial memories implanted by Cognify would be seamlessly integrated into the brain’s existing neural networks, preventing cognitive dissonance and ensuring that the subject experiences the memories as if they were real,” the clip reads.

As prisoners endure the vivid memories of their crimes, a central computer collects data to understand what drives people to commit such offenses.

However, the video noted that Cognify would provide “encrypted storage for sensitive prisoner information and rehabilitation data.”

“The Cognify concept could revolutionize the criminal justice system by significantly reducing the need for long-term incarceration and associated costs,” the concept video said.

“Traditional prisons require substantial budgets for construction, maintenance, staffing and inmate care, including food, health care and rehabilitation programs.

‘Replacing extended prison sentences with short-term, intensive rehabilitation through artificial memory implantation could dramatically reduce the costs of maintaining prison facilities and supporting prisoners.’