"Losing the way I used to speak has taken away part of my identity. At times I have felt isolated and sad after being once a very vocal, impressionable, speaking person. The AI technology has allowed me to reclaim that part of myself and reconnect with my family in a meaningful way."
"When I first heard it I was really shocked because it sounded so close to her voice and took me back to how my mum used to be. It felt like my mum was there in a sense. The device has changed everything for our family."
"That was just really amazing, it was like, that's Yvonne, that's how she sounds, that's her. Hearing her voice recite her vows during our 25th wedding anniversary renewal felt like she was truly present with us again."
Yvonne Johnson, 55, diagnosed with motor neurone disease six years ago, lost her ability to speak as the condition progressed. Motor neurone disease causes muscle weakness and deterioration, with 80% of patients experiencing significant speech changes. The loss of her voice devastated Johnson, who described herself as previously bubbly and vocal. ElevenLabs, a US firm, used her old voice notes, videos, and voicemails to recreate her voice through artificial intelligence. This technology allowed Johnson to communicate in her own voice again, profoundly impacting her family. She used the AI voice to renew her vows with her husband for their 25th wedding anniversary, restoring a sense of her authentic presence and personality to those around her.
#motor-neurone-disease #artificial-intelligence-voice-technology #speech-loss-and-communication #patient-identity-and-dignity #medical-technology-innovation
Read at www.bbc.com
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