An artificial intelligence (AI) solution recently helped a woman who suffered a brain stroke communicate. Ann, at the age of 30, suffered a brain stroke that left her with no control over her body movements and muscles.
Even with all her senses functioning normally, she unfortunately lost the ability to express and speak. However, a new tech created by researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley could help people like Ann communicate, UCSF claims.
Researchers are working with Ann to create a new brain-computer interface that allows people like Ann to communicate in an almost natural way through a digital avatar. This tech is able to synthesise speech or facial expressions through brain signals.
The tech is developing at a good rate - now, it can convert signals into text at nearly 80 words per minute, much higher than 14 words per minute that is currently achievable by the system attached to Ann.
"Our goal is to restore a full, embodied way of communicating, which is the most natural way for us to talk with others.
These advancements bring us much closer to making this a real solution for patients," said Edward Chang, MD, chair of neurological surgery at UCSF.
Ann suffered a brain stroke in 2005 after which she lost the ability to formulate words and express herself through movements. With help from therapy, Ann can breathe, laugh, show neck movement, wink, and say a few words.
The team also performed a surgery on Ann to implant a paper-thin strip of 253 electrodes on her brain surface that is particularly responsible for speech.