How a Brain Implant and AI Gave a Woman Her Voice Back

Eighteen years after a brain stroke left her severely paralyzed, Ann was able to speak with facial expressions for the first time.

Researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley are developing new AI-supported brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that could one day allow people like Ann to communicate more naturally through a digital avatar that resembles a person.

How it works: Electrodes implanted on the surface of Ann’s brain pick up signals intended for her speech muscles (which no longer make it due to the stroke) when she tries to talk. To circumvent this, the signals are intercepted and transferred to a bank of computers via a cable, plugged into a port fixed to Ann’s head, and are output as a digital avatar speaking and emoting in Ann’s stead.

Ann’s story is very touching, and to see how technology has helped her brings makes me genuinely happy, but also excited about what AI within BCI technology will help us achieve.

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