AlterEgo has developed Silent Sense, a wearable device that picks up faint neuromuscular signals from the speech system – i.e. signals the brain sends before you actually speak. This lets users “type at the speed of thought,” communicate silently, regain speech functionality, translate languages in real time, or browse without voice, without reading raw thoughts.
This technology could transform education by creating new opportunities for students with speech impairments to participate more fully in classroom activities. It may also enable silent collaboration, allowing learners to exchange ideas without interruption or the need to speak aloud. Real-time translation could further support non-native speakers, helping them to follow lessons seamlessly and engage with content more effectively. Beyond accessibility, the device could foster a more inclusive and private form of communication, particularly benefiting shy students or those on the autism spectrum who may find traditional classroom interactions challenging.
While near-telepathic wearables could open exciting new possibilities in education, they also invite important questions. How do we safeguard the privacy of students when technology begins to interpret signals that are so close to thought? Could reliance on such tools change the way young people develop social and communication skills, or create new divides between those who can access them and those who cannot? And what happens if the line between voluntary use and subtle pressure to participate begins to blur in classrooms? These are not arguments against the technology, but rather invitations to reflect on how we might shape its role responsibly in education.
The AlterEgo project originated at the MIT Media Lab in 2018 and spun off as a for-profit company in early 2025. For more information on the company, an update on the technology and form factor and its current functionality, see https://www.alterego.io/.
Introducing AlterEgo, The World’s First Silent Speech Wearable
Image by: u_91c4jx8lri from Pixabay
