Now, a computer that tells what you are going to do next

London: A German designer has developed a computer programme that predicts what people will do next by monitoring their behaviour.

Designer Christian Fiebig created Computer Augmented Crafts to assist him with his welding by closely watching his movements with a webcam.

The data is fed into an algorithm which makes an "educated guess" about what he will do next, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

It then suggests what the shape of the next piece of metal should be and how long it should be cut.

Though it is up to the designers whether they follow the advice or not, the development is the latest startling example of how advanced artificial intelligence has become.

"I designed a computer interface that actually makes suggestions to the designer while he's working. Ideally it will enable the designer to create something nor him or the computer itself could have come up with," Fiebig told the Fast Company.

"We shouldn't be afraid of using technology to enhance traditional handiwork," said Fiebig, who is studying at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

The webcam on the machine records each cutting, measuring and notes the length of each piece of metal that Fiebig manipulates during his spot welding.

He hopes that instead of being something sinister it will give designers another voice which they can decide to collaborate with or simply ignore.

Fiebig has published the details on the Internet as an open source code to encourage others to improve the software.

The latest invention is a testimony to how the computer intelligence has accelerated in recent years - machines have beaten humans at chess and in one test were also able to feel "regret".