Microsoft wants to use your brain to mine cryptocurrencies

Microsoft wants to use your brain to mine cryptocurrencies

A recent patent application seems to suggest that Microsoft is working on a proof-of-work algorithm that uses brain waves (and other biometric data) to mine cryptocurrency. In the patent, titled "Cryptocurrency System Using Body Activity Data," Microsoft proposes using a sensor on the user's body that will transmit "body activity" data, such as brain activities, blood flow, and movements, which would then be transmitted to a server. Users would be encouraged to perform tasks, and 'a brain wave or body heat emitted by the user when the user performs the task provided by an information or service provider, such as viewing an advertisement or using certain Internet services may be used in the mining process. "This activity would replace the "mass computational work" required by normal cryptocurrency mining, the data collected by body activity is considered as proof of work.

Unconscious mining

According to the patent, the sensor could detect different brain waves, including gamma and beta waves, which involve learning, memory and logical thinking, and alpha waves, which are related to the subconscious. Microsoft refers to the fact that the work done by users will be done "unconsciously", which suggests that alpha brain waves will be the most important here, and could mean that work is done while users focus on others. Things all seem a bit sci-fi, and we're not sure many people are willing to give up their brains on Microsoft, regardless of the cryptocurrency rewards. It's also just a patent, so we may not see actual technology using what's described here for a long time, if at all. So, for the time being at least, we will still have to use our PCs, not our brains, to mine cryptocurrency. Via DeCrypt