New technology allows man with ALS to communicate using brain implant and AI voice

A patient named Casey Harold regained his ability to speak through a revolutionary brain implant and AI-powered app developed by UC Davis Health. The technology translates brain activity into speech, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional assisted devices like the one Stephen Hawking used.

The technology involves placing electrode arrays in the speech motor cortex to detect neuroactivity and using machine learning algorithms to decipher speech patterns. It is in the early testing stage but has shown significant improvements in speed and accuracy compared to existing devices.

The technology can provide responses within 10-20 seconds, with a reported accuracy of 97%. This accuracy level is comparable to standard voice assistants like Siri, making the technology life-changing for patients like Harold and their families.

Various institutions and companies, including Elon Musk's Neuralink and Massachusetts General Hospital, are also working on unlocking the potential of brain implant technology. These advancements aim to expand the benefits of such technology to a broader population.

Casey's accuracy with the device improved from 99.6% with a 50-word vocabulary to 97.5% with a 125,000-word vocabulary after eight months of training. This progress highlights the potential for individuals like Casey to effectively communicate using brain implant technology.