VIRGINIA, USA — Technology has progressed beyond the point of helping bring people together from all over the world through social media. It can now help the voiceless be heard again. On Wednesday, Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton shared a video debuting a new Artificial Intelligence-generated model of voice.
Wexton was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2018, shortly after being elected to the house. This rare neurological disorder affects Wexton's ability to speak, hear, or move. So much so, that she's had to rely on text-to-speech apps during her public speaking engagements for the past few months, including addressing the House on the floor and in committees.
But with this new software developed by ElevenLabs, Wexton can now be heard by the masses in her natural voice again.
"Since I first began using an augmentative and alternative communication – or AAC – device for speeches on the House floor and in committee, I’ve received an outpouring of supportive messages from disability rights advocates about the importance of demonstrating that just because people like me may not be able to use our voices in the same way, doesn’t mean our words are any less ours or any less important to hear," Wexton said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Wexton and her team spent weeks compiling old clips of her public speeches, to generate an AI model of her voice before her PSP diagnoses began to impact her voice. There have been a lot of debates surrounding the use of AI and all of the harm it can cause to the world. But the same was once said about cellphones and the internet.
Wexton is aware of those who misuse AI for malicious intent, but she also understands the life-changing opportunities it can create.
"I hope that this new step of adopting an AI voice model can also be a moment to start a conversation about new and creative ways we can continue to empower people facing the kinds of health and accessibility issues as I have, and to show that our abilities do not define who we are," said Rep. Wexton.
Wexton did announce shortly after she won her race in 2018 that she would not be running for reelection. But for now, like The Little Mermaid, Wexton has her voice back as she finishes her term.
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