In a remarkable demonstration of the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve lives, Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., who was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder last year, debuted the use of an AI tool built to mirror her own voice in a speech on the House floor on July 25.
The technology, developed by ElevenLabs, allowed Wexton to speak using her old voice, despite the challenges posed by her condition, which had inhibited her mobility and hampered her ability to communicate.
AI: A Voice for the Voiceless
For Rep. Jennifer Wexton, the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare brain disease she describes as “Parkinson’s Disease on steroids,” was a devastating blow.
The disorder had not only affected her mobility, making it difficult for her to stride confidently onto the House floor to vote, but also hampered her ability to speak, robbing her of the power to deliver the impassioned speeches she was known for on the House floor and in committee hearings.
However, thanks to the power of AI, Wexton was able to regain her voice and continue to serve her constituents with the same passion and dedication she had always shown.
By working with ElevenLabs, a software company that specializes in creating natural-sounding speech synthesis, Wexton was able to create an AI model that essentially cloned her voice as it was before her diagnosis.
The process involved sending the company more than an hour of her past floor speeches and other public appearances, which they used to create a voice model program that sounded like Wexton herself, and not the robotic voice associated with traditional text-to-speech apps.
The result was nothing short of miraculous.
As Wexton herself noted, “I used to be one of those people who hated the sound of my voice. When my ads came on TV, I would cringe and change the channel. But you truly don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Because hearing the new AI of my old voice for the first time was music to my ears. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard and I cried tears of joy.”
Hope for Americans with Disabilities
Wexton’s use of AI technology to overcome the challenges posed by her condition is not just a personal triumph but also a beacon of hope for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities. It’s important to remember that technology has the power to level the playing field and empower those who face challenges in their daily lives.
By demonstrating the potential of AI to help people become better versions of themselves and to make their disabilities harder to live with, Wexton is paving the way for a future in which technology can be used to support and empower those who face challenges in their daily lives.
Her story is a powerful reminder that, even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and that, with the right tools and support, we can all achieve our full potential.
As Wexton herself noted in her speech on the House floor, “I hope I can be a voice, even an AI voice, for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities.
Because too often, people only see us for that disability, and in truth, we are so much more.” By using her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to advocate for greater accessibility and support, Wexton is helping to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
A Milestone for AI in Politics
Wexton’s use of AI to deliver her speech on the House floor was not just a personal milestone but also a significant moment for the use of AI in politics.
As her colleague, fellow Virginia Democrat Don Beyer, noted, “To have her voice back through the AI — and not just a voice but her voice — is a really wonderful thing.”
The fact that Wexton’s speech was the first time a voice cloned by AI was used on the House floor is a testament to the incredible potential of this technology to transform the way we communicate and engage with one another.
As Congress itself wrestles with how to regulate and legislate on artificial intelligence, stories like Wexton’s serve as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that this technology can have on people’s lives.
Of course, as with any new technology, there are concerns about the potential risks and dangers of AI, particularly when it comes to issues like deepfakes and the spread of misinformation.
However, as Beyer himself noted, “We don’t like bad deepfakes, but a good deepfake – which is not really a fake [but] the ability to hear her speak, it’s just wonderful.”
The Potential of AI to Transform Lives
Wexton’s use of AI to regain her voice is just one example of how this technology can be used to transform lives and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
As AI continues to evolve and improve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications that help people overcome challenges and live fuller, more independent lives.
From assistive devices that help people with mobility issues to walk or use their hands, to AI-powered tools that can help people with visual or hearing impairments navigate the world around them, the potential of this technology to improve lives is truly limitless.
As we embrace the power of AI and work to harness its potential for good, we can look forward to a future in which everyone, regardless of their abilities or challenges, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Of course, realizing this potential will require a concerted effort on the part of policymakers, researchers, and technology companies to ensure that AI is developed and used in an ethical and responsible manner.
It will also require a willingness on the part of society as a whole to embrace the potential of this technology and to work to ensure that its benefits are shared equitably among all members of society.
Dispelling the Myths about AI
Despite the incredible potential of AI to improve lives and transform society, there are still those who express concerns about the potential risks and dangers of this technology. Some skeptics even go so far as to warn of an impending “AI apocalypse,” in which machines rise up and take over the world.
However, stories like Wexton’s serve as a powerful counterpoint to these fears and demonstrate the incredible potential of AI to improve lives and make the world a better place.
By focusing on the positive applications of this technology and working to ensure that it is developed and used in an ethical and responsible manner, we can dispel the myths and misconceptions that surround AI and embrace its potential to transform our world for the better.
As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI and work to harness its potential for good, it’s important to remember that this technology is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all of the challenges we face as a society.
However, by approaching AI with a sense of optimism and a commitment to using it in an ethical and responsible manner, we can ensure that its benefits are shared equitably among all members of society and that it is used to create a better, more inclusive world for all.
A Renewed Sense of Determination
For Wexton herself, the experience of regaining her voice through AI has given her a renewed sense of determination to use her platform to help others.
As she noted in her speech on the House floor, “My battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, has robbed me of my ability to use my full voice and move around in the ways that I used to. Rather than striding confidently onto the House floor to vote, I gratefully accept rides across Independence Avenue — and yes, I get the irony — from my office to the Capitol. I rely on a walker to get around, and in all likelihood, before my term ends, I will appear on the House floor for votes in a wheelchair.”
Despite these challenges, Wexton remains committed to using her voice, even an AI voice, to advocate for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities.
Final Words
The story of Rep. Jennifer Wexton’s use of AI to regain her voice is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential of this technology to improve lives and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
