PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
AI helped musician Patrick Darling create a recognizable version of his voice for a song after ALS left him unable to sing. The result was built from old recordings—including noisy phone videos and kitchen clips—and was rough rather than a perfect copy. It let him perform with former bandmates in London in February 2026; it did not reverse ALS or restore his natural voice.
How AI helped Patrick Darling sing again
Darling had been a musician and composer since about age 14. According to MIT Technology Review’s 2026 report, he began needing to sit during performances in August 2023. By April 2024, he struggled to talk and breathe at the same time, and his last performance with Nick Cocking’s Ceili House Band was in June 2024.
A speech therapist first raised voice banking: recording speech in advance so typed text can later be spoken in a person’s voice through a communication system. Darling felt his voice had already changed, so banking it then would preserve a voice that did not sound like the one he wanted to keep. Speech and language therapist and researcher Richard Cave instead helped use recordings Darling had made earlier to create a speaking voice clone.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSinging required a different source. The team did not have clean, high-quality recordings of Darling singing; it drew on phone videos from noisy pubs and a couple of recordings made in his kitchen. MIT Technology Review reported that the tool typically calls for around 10 minutes of clear audio, but that figure is tool-context reported by the outlet, not a guarantee that every system can produce a singing voice from that amount—or from noisy clips.
#1 Best Overall
- SMART AI TRANSLATOR: AI assistant in the voice and photo translator highlights and explains noteworthy concepts, symbols, and local customs. Voice cloning enables more natural conversations.
- REAL-TIME TRANSLATOR FOR PHONE CALLS: Breaks language barriers by translating worldwide calls in 53 languages. Start with 10 free minutes, buy more through manufacturer customer support.
- FREE LIFETIME CONNECTIVITY FOR TRANSLATIONS: Built-in SIM card provides free internet access in nearly 200 countries forever! Offline translation ensures uninterrupted communication even off the grid.
- ELECTRONIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR: Supports 121 languages for photo translation, 116 for text translation, and 95 for voice translation. This translation device automatically detects languages and starts translating.
- 10+ TRANSLATION ENGINES: Combines advanced AI with over 10 specialized translation engines to achieve 99% accuracy and context-aware translation. Plus, the device requires no setup.
The recreated singing voice was not a seamless replica. Cave described it as raspy and imperfect, but human-sounding. Darling said hearing the voice for the first time was amazing and that it reminded him of his earlier voice.
What the performance meant—and what it did not show
Darling and Cave performed the completed song with Darling’s former bandmates at a London event on February 11, 2026. Darling addressed the audience through his voice clone: “Sadly, I have lost the ability to sing and play my instruments.” He also said he was still composing and producing music, and that doing so felt more important than ever.
This was one person’s return to creative performance using a reconstructed voice. It is not evidence that AI changes ALS progression, restores biological speech, or makes everyday communication faster. Gabi Leibowitz, a speech therapist involved in the program, said the technology does not resolve physical difficulties such as eating and breathing; she described its value as giving people a way “to create again, to thrive.”
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #2
- SMART AI TRANSLATOR: AI assistant in the voice and photo translator highlights and explains noteworthy concepts, symbols, and local customs. Voice cloning enables more natural conversations.
- REAL-TIME TRANSLATOR FOR PHONE CALLS: Breaks language barriers by translating worldwide calls in 53 languages. Start with 10 free minutes, buy more through manufacturer customer support.
- FREE LIFETIME CONNECTIVITY FOR TRANSLATIONS: Built-in SIM card provides free internet access in nearly 200 countries forever! Offline translation ensures uninterrupted communication even off the grid.
- ELECTRONIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR: Supports 121 languages for photo translation, 116 for text translation, and 95 for voice translation. This translation device automatically detects languages and starts translating.
- 10+ TRANSLATION ENGINES: Combines advanced AI with over 10 specialized translation engines to achieve 99% accuracy and context-aware translation. Plus, the device requires no setup.
ElevenLabs later published its own account of Darling performing “Polish Girl with the Irish Heart” at SXSW London with an AI singing voice based on his voice. That is a company account of a later performance, distinct from the February event covered by MIT Technology Review; it is not independent clinical evidence.
Voice banking, voice cloning, and singing are different goals
| Approach | What it is for | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Voice banking | Preserving a voice for speech generated from typed text or a communication device. | Speech recorded before the voice changes, if possible. In Darling’s case, he felt his voice had changed too much by the time it was raised. |
| Voice cloning | Creating a synthetic voice from existing audio for speech or other uses supported by a service. | Audio suitable for the chosen system. ElevenLabs’ documentation distinguishes Instant Voice Cloning, which it says can use short samples, from Professional Voice Cloning, which requires extended training audio and a higher plan; check current specifications. |
| AI-assisted singing | Making a voice perform a song rather than simply speak typed words. | Recordings that capture the person’s singing can help, but Darling’s case shows that the available clips may be imperfect. It does not establish that noisy recordings will work for other people or systems. |
These approaches should not be treated as interchangeable. Someone seeking support for everyday communication may want to discuss voice banking, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and setup with a speech-language pathologist or AAC specialist. Someone hoping to preserve music may need to ask separately whether usable singing recordings exist and whether the software supports the intended musical task.
Can people with ALS get free AI voice access?
ElevenLabs says people with permanent speech change or loss, including people with ALS, may apply for free access through its Impact Program and partner process. Its October 2025 application guide describes a five-year renewable Pro license for eligible individuals. Eligibility, partner availability, and terms can vary; check the current application guidance and regional partner list before relying on access.
Rank #3
- SMART AI TRANSLATOR: AI assistant in the voice and photo translator highlights and explains noteworthy concepts, symbols, and local customs. Voice cloning enables more natural conversations.
- REAL-TIME TRANSLATOR FOR PHONE CALLS: Breaks language barriers by translating worldwide calls in 53 languages. Start with 10 free minutes, buy more through manufacturer customer support.
- FREE LIFETIME CONNECTIVITY FOR TRANSLATIONS: Built-in SIM card provides free internet access in nearly 200 countries forever! Offline translation ensures uninterrupted communication even off the grid.
- ELECTRONIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR: Supports 121 languages for photo translation, 116 for text translation, and 95 for voice translation. This translation device automatically detects languages and starts translating.
- 10+ TRANSLATION ENGINES: Combines advanced AI with over 10 specialized translation engines to achieve 99% accuracy and context-aware translation. Plus, the device requires no setup.
The company also describes a one-year renewable license route for clinicians. Its Impact Program help page provides additional application information. These are vendor statements about program access, not independent evidence of medical benefit.
What to check before trying to recreate a voice
- Set the goal first: everyday communication, preserving a familiar speaking voice, and singing are different outcomes.
- Gather recordings: identify what exists, when it was recorded, and whether it captures clear speech or singing. Darling’s usable material was not a polished studio archive.
- Get communication support: ask a speech-language pathologist or AAC specialist about voice banking and communication options, especially if speech is changing.
- Verify service details: voice-cloning features, audio requirements, plans, and free-program rules can change. ElevenLabs’ cloning overview explains its current distinction between Instant and Professional Voice Cloning.
Darling’s story is about using available technology to keep making music in a changed body—not about a device or instrument purchase. Voice cloning and AI music generation are software services, and no particular physical product was identified as responsible for his performance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
