New technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could offer greater communications customizability for people with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In an October press release, the Scott-Morgan Foundation and Lenovo introduced “a new technology suite combining predictive AI, hyper-realistic avatars, personalized voices, and eye-gaze tracking.”
The introduction came at Lenovo Tech World 2024, an event held Oct. 15 in Seattle, Washington.
New technology launches: It takes a village
The new technology suite includes a circular keyboard interface designed by the Scott-Morgan Foundation and built by Lenovo, who also supplied predictive AI. Personalized AI voice replicas came from ElevenLabs, while “hyper-realistic” avatars were supplied by D-ID. IrisBond supplied the eye-tracking technology.
At its event in October, Lenovo introduced a video called “AI Lullaby,” featuring Iomar Barrett, a father living with ALS. In the video, Barrett explained that he will soon lose his ability to speak. Using the new technology system’s circular keyboard, Barrett can choose the words he wants to say. Then, an AI-generated voice that sounds like Barrett’s and an avatar that looks like him are combined to produce an audio-visual file of Barrett reading a story or singing to his children.
“Technology is my best hope,” Barrett said in the video. “And with the advances in AI, I have a chance to sing happy birthday to my children for many years to come, and possibly even toast at their weddings.”
Creating greater accessibility
“We live in a world where over half a billion people are silenced, not by choice, but by disability,” said LaVonne Roberts, executive director, Scott-Morgan Foundation. “Imagine a world where even the most severely disabled individuals can fully express themselves, where cutting-edge technology gives voice to the voiceless. We’re not just imagining this world — we’re building it together with Lenovo. With over 500 million people worldwide grappling with muscular or neurological conditions, our work has the potential to impact lives on a massive scale.”
Lenovo (Nasdaq: LNVGY), headquartered in Beijing, China, with American headquarters in Morrisville, North Carolina, designs and manufactures consumer electronics, personal computers, software and business solutions.
The Scott-Morgan Foundation was founded by Peter Scott-Morgan, Ph.D. — a British robotics specialist diagnosed with ALS in 2017 — and his husband Francis Scott-Morgan. The organization’s goal “is redefining human potential through technology. We pioneer human-centric, AI-drive assistive solutions, focusing on ALS to create innovations that serve the broadest spectrum of disabilities.”
Peter Scott-Morgan was known as “the human cyborg” due to his decision to undergo multiple surgeries “to prolong his life and embrace a technology-driven transformation.” He died of ALS-related complications in June 2022 at age 64.
