AI Restores Voice to Councillor Battling Motor Neurone Disease
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A groundbreaking application of artificial intelligence (AI) is allowing a local councillor diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) to continue communicating in his own voice. The technology offers a powerful lifeline for individuals facing the debilitating effects of this neurodegenerative disorder.
A councillor representing Kippington on the Sevenoaks district and town councils received a diagnosis of MND in November 2024 after initially experiencing difficulty speaking. The experience, he noted, was profoundly emotional. “It can be very emotional because your voice is such a big part of you, and no one wants it to sound like Stephen Hawking did,” he said.
Preserving Identity Through AI Voice Replication
Shortly after receiving his diagnosis, the councillor proactively made recordings of his voice. These recordings served as the foundation for training an AI model to accurately replicate his unique vocal characteristics. The innovative technology is a collaborative effort between the MND Association and California-based tech firm 11Labs.
The councillor debuted the technology publicly on January 13, utilizing it to pose a question during a Sevenoaks District Council cabinet meeting. The ability to continue participating in public life is transformative, he explained. “It’s amazing because when you get your diagnosis, part of you thinks, ‘my life is over’,” he said. “And being able to still work, still talk, and still participate is amazing.”
Understanding Motor Neurone Disease
Motor neurone disease is a progressive condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. These nerves control muscle movement, and their deterioration leads to weakness and stiffness, ultimately impacting essential functions like walking, speaking, eating, and breathing. The councillor’s specific form of MND initially manifests in the mouth and throat, with the disease expected to progress to other areas of the body.
The diagnosis brought with it a wave of intense emotion. The 58-year-old described feeling “terrible shock and fear” upon learning of his condition. He first noticed subtle changes in his speech approximately nine months prior to the diagnosis, observing that his voice sounded “ever so slightly odd, a tiny bit slurred” during a council meeting.
Fundraising Efforts and Community Support
Since his diagnosis, the former journalist has dedicated himself to raising funds for charities supporting individuals and families affected by MND. His commitment to fundraising was demonstrated through participation in several events, including the 2025 Moonlight Walk benefiting Hospice in the Weald – the organization providing his care – which generated over £11,000. In December, he also completed a charity run in Leeds, raising more than £10,000.
This story highlights the potential of technology to mitigate the challenges posed by debilitating diseases, offering a beacon of hope and preserving a vital aspect of personal identity for those living with MND.
