April Kerner, a 42-year-old mother of three from Frederick, Maryland, has found hope in artificial intelligence (AI) technology after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The progressive neurological disorder not only affected Kerner’s mobility but also robbed her of her ability to speak. However, thanks to a program developed by ElevenLabs, an AI audio research and deployment company, Kerner can now communicate using a voice that closely resembles her own.
Kerner’s journey with ALS began in April 2022 when she started experiencing weakness in her right leg. Over the next several months, she visited various doctors, hoping for a reversible condition. However, in December 2022, she received the devastating diagnosis of ALS, which gradually impairs voluntary muscle movement and breathing.
Determined to create lasting memories with her family, Kerner and her husband, Bill, took their three children to Walt Disney World in April 2023. However, by May 2023, Kerner began losing her voice, and the following month, she went into respiratory failure, necessitating a tracheostomy that completely silenced her.
In their search for a communication method, the Kerners discovered ElevenLabs, which specializes in creating human-like text-to-speech programs. After providing recordings of Kerner’s voice, the company used AI technology to develop a program that closely replicated her original voice, rather than the robotic sound typically associated with such programs. Kerner now types with her eyes, and the program generates her voice, allowing her to communicate with her family once again.
While the program is not flawless, with a slightly slower cadence than her original voice, it has brought immense joy to the Kerners. Bill Kerner expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s amazing. It’s her actual voice. It means a lot… It gave us part of her that this horrible disease took away.”
The couple’s children also cherish the opportunity to hear their mother’s voice through the AI program, particularly during bedtime stories. April Kerner emphasized that being able to tell stories to her children is her favorite part of using the AI voice, as it allows them to maintain a connection.
Despite the challenges she faces daily, including reliance on a ventilator and feeding tube, Kerner remains determined to fight for her family and raise awareness about ALS. She hopes that sharing her story will shed light on the debilitating effects of the disease and inspire others to persevere through difficult times.
