Summary
Sarah Ezekiel, who lost her voice due to motor neurone disease (MND), had her real voice recreated using artificial intelligence (AI) from just eight seconds of audio from an old VHS tape. The AI technology helped her regain a sense of her identity after speaking for years with a synthetic voice. Assistive technology, including eye-gaze systems, has also enabled her to communicate and paint again.
Key Facts
- Sarah Ezekiel lost her voice and hand use due to motor neurone disease (MND) at age 34.
- A company used AI to recreate her original voice from eight seconds of audio on a VHS tape.
- Eye-gaze technology, which tracks eye movements to select letters, allows Sarah to communicate.
- Before AI restored her voice, Sarah used a synthetic voice for 25 years to speak.
- MND, also called ALS, is a degenerative disease that usually leads to loss of speech.
- AI-generated voice has helped Sarah feel more connected to her identity.
- Advances in assistive technology have also enabled Sarah to return to painting.
