Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia made history as the first member of Congress to use an AI-generated voice to speak on the House floor, highlighting how technology can help people with disabilities participate more fully in public life.
Wexton’s groundbreaking use of AI: On Thursday, Rep. Wexton, who has progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), used an AI model of her voice to deliver remarks on the House floor:
- Wexton said her condition has “robbed me of my ability to use my full voice and move around in the ways that I used to,” and she will likely need to use a wheelchair in the House chamber before her term ends.
- Using an augmentative and alternative communication device, Wexton became the first member ever to leverage this technology to speak on the House floor.
An emotional moment: Wexton described hearing the AI rendition of her voice for the first time as profoundly moving:
- “It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and I cried tears of joy,” the congresswoman said of the initial experience.
- Wexton expressed determination to use her platform to try to help others facing similar challenges.
Broader implications: Wexton’s pioneering use of an AI voice in Congress marks an important step forward in making political institutions more accessible and inclusive:
- By demonstrating how AI-powered tools can enable people with disabilities and medical conditions to communicate and participate, Wexton has set a powerful example for how technology can level the playing field.
- Her historic remarks underscore the importance of continuing to develop and leverage innovations that empower individuals to engage fully in civic life, regardless of health issues or physical limitations.
While Wexton’s AI-generated speech was born of her own medical struggles, it points the way toward a future where technological breakthroughs help create a more equitable and accessible society for all. As AI continues to advance, Wexton’s groundbreaking moment offers an inspiring glimpse of its potential to transform lives and institutions for the better.
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