But sxswAI Audio Company elevenlabs partnered with Rebecca Gayheart Dane, wife of late actor Eric Dane, to promote a new initiative that will provide free AI voice restoration to 1 million people with permanent voice loss.
Appearing with Gehart Dane at a SXSW panel on Friday, ElevenLabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski said the company is actively looking for people from around the world to participate. 1 Million Voices Initiative.
Staniszewski encouraged viewers to share contact information for people suffering from voice loss due to cancer and other medical problems; Potential participants can Fill Interest Form Online.
Eric Dane, known for his work Excitement And gray’s anatomyDied in February after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Before his death, he worked with ElevenLabs to clone and restore his voice. Now Gehart Dane wants to champion this technology to others.
“Our voices are an important part of who we are and most of us take it for granted,” she said.. “As Eric’s speech gradually weakened, I saw how much that loss diminished his happiness and sense of self. When he found his ElevenLabs voice, it was emotional to get that part of him back and to know that our daughters would always be able to hear his voice.”
Rebecca Gayheart Dane, Mati Staniszewski and Yvonne Johnson appeared on the “Restoring Voices” panel at SXSW.
Credit: Timothy Worth/Mashable
Of course, AI is a controversial and divisive technology. Deepfakes, misinformation and copyright infringement have been regular topics in AI discussions at the SXSW technology panel in 2026. But like any tool, it can also be used in a positive way.
“You know, people are generally very cautious and concerned about AI technology, but this is the best example of using it for good,” Gehart Dane said. “And I think that message has to be spread much wider, wider and louder.
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“Because[AI]can be used for good, and maybe it will inspire others, other AI companies, to do something good with its capabilities instead of something nefarious.”
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How the 11 Million Voices Initiative Works
To find people with voice loss and restore their voices, ElevenLabs is working with accessibility nonprofits and the Disability Foundation. Scott-Morgan Foundation.
Using voicemail or short videos, ElevenLabs AI tools can faithfully recreate a person’s voice, allowing them to communicate in real time using their lost voice.
To promote this initiative, ElevenLabs also premiered 11 voices Documentary At SXSW. The series profiles 11 people who have lost their voices, all working with the 1 Million Voices initiative.
Yvonne JohnsonA British woman with ALS who comes forward 11 voicesalso participated in the panel, sharing his journey with voice loss and AI voice cloning. Using AI, ElevenLabs was able to recreate her voice, down to her North London accent.
The documentary shows Johnson renewing her vows with her husband. Speaking at the panel with his restored voice, Johnson said technology has been a huge gift to his family.
“So I just type in what I want to say, just like you do with a text message, and then I just press a speech button, and out comes my beautiful voice,” Johnson said at the panel.
“You can even refuse someone. I mean, In fact Tell someone,” she said, smiling, looking at her husband and son in the audience.
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