A scientist has unveiled a concept for a prison of the future that he has claimed would fast-track a criminal’s release to minutes, instead of years or decades.
Called Cognify, the design would implant synthetic memories of a person’s crime into their brain, but showing their victim’s perspective.
The system could feature a VR-like device that displays AI-generated footage of the offence, coupled with a brain implant that induces emotional states like remorse or regret – feelings some individuals may not produce on their own.
The concept, developed by Hashem Al-Ghaili, would ensure the long-term effects of the therapy session by making the memories permanent.
Called Cognify, the design would implant synthetic memories of a person’s crime into their brain, but showing their victim’s perspective
There are more than 1.7 million people currently incarcerated in the US.
While officials have long said prison deters offenders from future crimes, more than 100 studies in 2021 found that it does not prevent people from reoffending.
With this in mind, Al-Ghaili is looking towards the future with a prison he claims will help criminals learn from their past.
‘Cognify could someday create and implant artificial memories directly into the prisoner’s brain,’ a narrative video stated.
‘These complex, vivid and life-like memories are created in real-time using AI-generated content.
While the rehabilitation would last for several minutes, it would seem like years to the criminal.
‘Inside the criminal’s mind, time would pass differently slower than in real life, making them experience years-worth,’ the video shared.
Depending on the seriousness of the subject’s crime and their sentence, the memories could be tailored to the rehabilitation needs of each subject.’
Prisoners undergo high-resolution brain scanning that creates a detailed map of their neural pathways.
The map allows the Cognify device to target specific brain regions 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 prisoner AI-generated memories of their crimes, which can include domestic violence, hate crimes and discrimination embezzlement, insider trading, theft and fraud.
In addition to visual effects, the technology could also stimulate a physical response by letting the offender feel the pain and suffering their victim endured.
‘Some memories are designed to trigger consequences and trauma,’ the video stated.
‘Such memories could simulate the long-term consequences of violent actions, such as the grief of the victim’s family or the physical and emotional trauma endured by the victim.’
The pods open to reveal men standing inside each one, wearing the Cognify device over their heads and what appeared to be a display over their eyes and headphones over their ears – immersing them in the AI-generated memories
The six-minute and 22-second clip, posted to Al-Ghaii’s social media accounts, begins with a view of a white room with 19 pods against the wall.
The pods open to reveal men standing inside each one, wearing the Cognify device over their heads and what appeared to be a display over their eyes and headphones over their ears – immersing them in the AI-generated memories.
‘The artificial memories implanted by the Cognify would be seamlessly incorporated into the existing neural networks of the brain, preventing cognitive dissonance and ensuring the subject experiences the memories as if they were real,’ according to the clip.
As prisoners endure the vivid memories of their crimes, a central computer collects data to understand what makes people carry out such offenses.
However, the video noted that Cognify would ‘feature 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 its associated costs,’ according to the concept video.
‘Traditional prisons require substantial budgets for construction, maintenance, staffing, and prisoner care, including food, healthcare, and rehabilitation programs.
‘By replacing extended prison sentences with brief, intensive rehabilitation through artificial memory implantation, the costs of maintaining prison facilities and supporting inmates could be drastically lowered.’
