Microsoft unveils new neural voice tool for people with speech impairments at Ability Summit

At the 14th Microsoft Ability Summit, the company unveiled a number of new features aimed at improving the accessibility of its products for people with disabilities. One of the key features announced is a neural voice tool called Speak for Me, which the company plans to release later this year.

Here's What We Know

This new feature, similar to Apple's Personal Voice, is designed to help people with speech impairments, including those living with amyotrophic sclerosis (ALS). Speak for Me will allow users to use special neural voices to communicate effectively. The tool is being developed in collaboration with ALS non-profit organisation Team Gleason, and Microsoft is committed to ensuring its widespread use.

In addition, Microsoft announced a collaboration with Answer ALS and the ALS Therapy Development Institute (TDI) to increase the amount of clinical and genetic data that can be used for scientific research into the disease.

The corporation also spoke about improvements in other products, such as Copilot, which will receive new accessibility features such as Live Caption and Narrator.

The summit emphasised the importance of a responsible approach to the use of generative artificial intelligence in the development of assistive products. The company sees AI as a means of improving productivity and support for people with disabilities.

Source: Microsoft