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Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) shared a video debuting a new Artificial Intelligence-generated model of her voice as it was before being impacted by her Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) condition. PSP has affected the volume and clarity of Wexton's speech, and she has relied on a text-to-speech app for public speaking engagements over the past few months including on the House floor and in committees.

"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. You don’t understand how important of an issue accessibility is until it’s you who relies on a walker, or an AAC device, like I have learned to over the past year. 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.

The AI voice model was created through ElevenLabs, a software company that specializes in developing natural-sounding speech synthesis software using deep learning. The model was generated consensually using a collection of previous public speeches from Rep. Wexton provided by her team. Any additional questions about the ElevenLabs technology can be directed to press@elevenlabs.io. 

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