Congresswoman Recovers Voice Through AI

In very positive AI news, Virginia Representative Jennifer Wexton has successfully used AI to recover her voice, which she lost due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Working with AI voice startup ElevenLabs, Rep. Wexton recreated her former speaking voice, enabling her to communicate with colleagues and constituents in a way she had thought lost forever.

This application of AI:

• Showcases AI's potential for positive, life-changing applications that are already possible

• Represents a significant advancement in disability advocacy, empowering individuals with disabilities to communicate and represent themselves in agentic ways

• Highlights the importance of involving people with disabilities in AI equity and fairness conversations. Too often, discussions about AI's impact and development exclude the very individuals most affected by these technologies, so we must ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are at the forefront of shaping AI's future.

As we celebrate this milestone, remember your insights are invaluable in guiding these technologies' ethical and practical implementation.

How do you see AI potentially impacting your life or the lives of your loved ones? What concerns or hopes do you have about AI's role in accessibility and inclusivity?

Check out the full video and story.