Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia made history on Thursday by becoming the first lawmaker to utilize an artificial intelligence-generated model of her voice to address the House floor. Wexton, who is battling progressive Supranuclear palsy (PSP), expressed how the condition has affected her ability to speak and move freely.
In a poignant moment, Wexton shared, 'My battle with progressive Supranuclear palsy, or PSP, has robbed me of my ability to use my full voice and move around in the ways that I used to, rather than striding confidently onto the House floor to vote.'
In September, Wexton announced that she would not seek reelection due to her health challenges, which she expects will deteriorate further. She disclosed, 'I rely on a walker to get around and in all likelihood before my term ends, I will appear on the House floor for votes in a wheelchair.'
Wexton's use of an augmentative and alternative communication device marks a significant moment in congressional history. Reflecting on the AI-generated voice, she described it as 'music to my ears' and expressed overwhelming joy upon hearing it for the first time.
Despite her health struggles, Wexton sees her diagnosis as an opportunity to advocate for others. She emphasized, 'This unique platform has brought me a renewed sense of determination to try to help others.'
