Brain Implant Helps Stroke Survivor Speak Again

Scientists have developed an innovative device that can transform thoughts about speech into spoken words in real-time. This breakthrough technology was tested on a 47-year-old woman who had been unable to speak for 18 years after a stroke.

The device, called a brain-computer interface (BCI), was implanted in the woman's brain during surgery. It works by recording brain activity and using artificial intelligence to convert neural signals into speech sounds. Remarkably, the system uses a synthesized version of the patient's own voice, created from recordings made before her injury.

Unlike previous BCIs, this new device processes speech 'on the fly,' without waiting for complete sentences. This allows for a more natural flow of conversation. Researchers hope that with further development, this technology could help many people who have lost the ability to speak.