Apple announced a brand new feature for iPhone and iPad owners Tuesday, “Personal Voice.” Through only 15 minutes of training, users can make their device speak in their own voice, providing a secure and private way to communicate that is unique to you. The company is taking accessibility a step farther by enabling users who suffer from ALS or any other condition that makes speaking more difficult to still be able to communicate with loved ones.
The new feature is powered by machine learning, which Apple is using to create the voice on the device itself rather than through external sources. This focus on security and privacy is what allows the feature to still be highly realistic and distinctive.
This isn’t the first time Apple has ventured into the AI voice market, with many iPhone users being familiar with the voice assistant, Siri. The company also has a long history with voice synthesis, going back to Steve Jobs’ 1984 demonstration at the unveiling of the Macintosh 128K. He was passionate about getting the device to say ‘Hello’ back then, and this passion was recreated in the movie based on his life.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook said, “At Apple, we’ve always believed that the best technology is technology built for everyone.” Philip Green, a board member at the Team Gleason nonprofit who was diagnosed with ALS replied in the company’s press release, “At the end of the day, the most important thing is being able to communicate with friends and family. If you can tell them you love them, in a voice that sounds like you, it makes all the difference in the world.” The feature spoke to his heart, as many know the difficulty of communicating a simple message.
Apple’s “Personal Voice” will provide an opportunity for people to still make their own voices heard, despite any disabilities they may face. It is set to be released before the end of the year and will hopefully bring the voice of those who thought their own could not be heard anymore back to life.
