ALS Stole His Voice. A.I. Retrieved It
Casey Harrell, a man with A.L.S., uses implanted brain electrodes to communicate via an AI voice, achieving significant speech accuracy while facing financial challenges in accessing advanced treatments.
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Casey Harrell, a 46-year-old man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S.), underwent a groundbreaking procedure involving surgically implanted electrodes in his brain, enabling him to communicate using an AI-powered voice. This innovative technology, developed at the University of California, Davis, connects brain activity to a computer, allowing the device to interpret Harrell's intended speech with remarkable accuracy. Initially, the system recognized a 50-word vocabulary with 99.6% accuracy, later expanding to 125,000 words with 90% accuracy. The AI was trained using recordings of Harrell's voice prior to his illness, allowing it to produce speech that closely resembled his natural tone. Over eight months, he was able to express nearly 6,000 unique words, significantly enhancing his ability to communicate with family and friends. While the technology has provided Harrell with a new means of expression and social connection, it also highlights the financial challenges faced by individuals with A.L.S., as insurance coverage for such advanced treatments remains limited. Harrell expressed mixed feelings about his situation, feeling both fortunate for the technology and frustrated by the systemic issues surrounding healthcare access for those with disabilities.
- Casey Harrell received brain implants that allow him to communicate using an AI-generated voice.
- The technology achieved high accuracy in interpreting his intended speech, significantly improving his communication abilities.
- Harrell's case demonstrates the potential of brain-computer interfaces for individuals with speech impairments.
- Financial barriers remain a significant concern for patients with A.L.S. seeking advanced treatments.
- Harrell's experience underscores the emotional and social impacts of regaining the ability to communicate.
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4 commentsI set it up when it first came out. It’s imperfect, but very very good.
I wonder how many other parts of the brain can be similarly translated?
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