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Software

Silicon Valley's Mind-Reading Computers and Corporate Frenemies

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Professor Rosalind Picard and her team at MIT's Media Lab are developing a computer that can read an individual's mind by processing body language signals, including changes in blood pressure, respiration rate, and mood variations like frustration and anger. The technology, which uses cameras and sensors to detect these signals, has hundreds of potential uses, including switching a computer off when the operator falls asleep with boredom. Meanwhile, corporate drama unfolds as Apple's Steve Jobs stays in the spotlight, while Microsoft seeks to access Netscape's private electronic mail boxes to defend against monopoly abuse charges. In Silicon Valley, Oracle's Larry Ellison faces a salary cut and share option withdrawal, following a decline in sales of his company's database and business software.

Key Takeaways:

  • Professor Rosalind Picard and her team at MIT's Media Lab are working on a computer that can read an individual's mind by processing hundreds of different signals given off by body language, including changes in blood pressure, respiration rate, and mood variations like frustration and anger.
  • The technology uses cameras and sensors to detect these signals, with hundreds of potential uses, including switching a computer off when the operator falls asleep with boredom.
  • Apple's Steve Jobs, acclaimed for bringing the company back from the brink of disaster, is overseeing the launch of Pixar's second feature film, A Bug's Life.
  • Microsoft is seeking access to Netscape's private electronic mail boxes to defend against monopoly abuse charges, alleging that Netscape's "flame mail" may reveal how the company lost its grip on the Web browser market.
  • Oracle's Larry Ellison, once the richest man in California, has seen his salary slashed and share options withdrawn following a decline in sales of his company's database and business software.
  • Ellison's net worth has been dented, with the value of his shareholding in Oracle crashing from $7.2 billion to $4.6 billion in the wake of a stock market tumble.

Statistics:

  • The MIT Media Lab team is processing hundreds of different signals to develop the mind-reading computer technology.
  • Apple's Steve Jobs is overseeing the launch of Pixar's second feature film, A Bug's Life.
  • Microsoft is seeking access to two private electronic mail boxes at Netscape Communications.
  • Larry Ellison's salary has been slashed, with his take-home pay reduced to $1.53 million.
  • The value of Ellison's shareholding in Oracle has crashed from $7.2 billion to $4.6 billion following a stock market tumble.

Sources:

  • Professor Rosalind Picard and her team at MIT's Media Lab (original source not specified)
  • The Times, "News and views from Sillicon Valley" (1998)
  • Computer Business Review, "Larry Ellison's Oracle: The King of California" (original source not specified)
  • The Times, "Microsoft seeks access to Netscape's email" (1998)

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