Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
In 2005, a rare brainstem stroke robbed Ann Johnson of her ability to speak at age 30. The mother of two from Saskatchewan hasn’t been able to communicate naturally with her loved ones ever since.
But last week she was seen making history in a California lab, chatting with her husband thanks to AI-powered technology that can translate her brain signals into speech. Researchers also synthesized a voice that sounds like her own and displayed a digital face that she could use to convey emotions and expressions.
“The goal of all of that is just to restore more full communication,” said Dr. Eddie Chang who is a neurosurgeon at the University of California, San Francisco.
Johnson, who was a teacher at the time of her stroke, was diagnosed with from what’s known as locked-in syndrome, a brain condition that causes paralysis of nearly all muscles except those that control the eyes. She has since regained some movement but cannot speak.
The researchers attached a thin grid of electrodes to the surface of her brain through surgery. It covered the area vital to speech and was connected by a wire to computers trained to decode her brain activity and not only generate text, but also speech and facial expressions.
“We also directly decoded sound, so the sound of what they’re trying to say. Then we actually decoded facial movements to animate an avatar,” said researcher Sean Metzger.
In an exchange captured on video Johnson was able to chat with her husband Bill about baseball. He asked her how she was feeling about the Blue Jays chances of winning that day.
“Anything is possible,” responded Johnson using her synthesized voice.
Bill then commented on her lack of confidence.
“You are right about that. I guess we’ll see won’t we,” said Johnson silently turning to her husband and smiling.
Researchers used audio from a speech she gave at her wedding prior to the stroke to train a computer to synthesize her voice. She has said it’s like hearing an old friend.
The researchers clarified the brain computer interface (BCI) is not reading minds, but interpreting signals from the part of the brain that controls the vocal tract. The user has to actually try and say the words for it to work.
"This isn't about someone trying to imagine saying stuff or thinking about words. But actually trying to say them," said Chang.
The interface can decode about 78 words a minute, which is around half the speed of a typical conversation. It a huge improvement over the 14 words a minute Johnson can produce with her current assistive communication device that uses eye movements.
Johnson has been regularly travelling with her husband from Regina to California to take part in the multi-year clinical trial. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help them cover travel expenses. On the website of the high school she used to teach at, Johnson has expressed a desire to give back and help others.
The researchers say this is just the starting point. They hope to make smaller devices that could connect wirelessly with computers so it can help others with speech impairments due to stroke, ALS, or other neurological disorders.
They would like to see more people regain the ability to communicate with loved ones.
"I think that this is all going to be possible within the next couple of years," says Chang.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Joel Felder and Misti Pitcher have been living in their apartment in Kingston, Ont. for over two years, but the past 12 months have been miserable.
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea has told Japan it plans to launch a satellite by early next week, an apparent effort to put its second military spy satellite into orbit.
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
IAMGOLD’s Cote Gold open pit mine, located off Highway 144 between Timmins and Sudbury, had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony this week as production ramps up.
When one is extended an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in London, England, there's undoubtedly no shortage of pomp and circumstance. Barrie, Ont. natives Megan Kirk Chang and her husband Brandon experienced just that as they entered the prestigious event hosted at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The proprietors of Regina's sole discount theatre are aware they're carrying on a significant legacy.
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.