Disabled peer uses AI-cloned voice to give historic speech

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton became the first UK Parliament member to deliver a speech using an AI-generated version of her own voice, enabling her continued participation despite her spinal muscular atrophy. This use of voice-cloning technology highlights greater inclusivity for disabled individuals in democracy and comes with a promise from ElevenLabs to provide free access to the technology for those with permanent voice loss.

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton has made history by delivering the first speech in the UK Parliament using an AI-cloned voice. The 67-year-old peer, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spoke during a debate on the Health Bill in the House of Lords on Wednesday. She initially addressed the chamber using her natural voice aided by a ventilator and then switched to her digitally recreated voice, which she said would allow her to continue participating in debates before her voice deteriorates further due to her condition.

SMA is a genetic disorder that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells controlling muscle movement, leading to severe muscle weakness and atrophy. Campbell has previously been allowed to bring an assistant to read her speeches in the Lords chamber due to the progressive nature of her disability.

To create the AI voice, Campbell used a British company, ElevenLabs, which reportedly requires only 30 seconds of audio to generate a synthetic voice. The peer compiled recordings from past interviews to produce a version of her voice, which she described as sounding "nice and young." Upon hearing the AI-generated voice for the first time, her sister remarked that it sounded like Campbell from ten years ago.

In her speech, Campbell focused on the importance of maintaining access to personal health budgets (PHBs) for disabled individuals. PHBs are funds allocated by the National Health Service to cover long-term health and care needs. Campbell, who is a recipient of such a budget, expressed concern about growing restrictions limiting how PHBs can be used, specifically citing cases where individuals have been prevented from using their budgets to pay carers to support them outside their homes.

Campbell is a well-known disability rights advocate and has served as a commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She also co-founded Not Dead Yet UK, a group of disabled people opposing assisted dying legislation.

Highlighting the broader significance of the technology, Campbell said the AI voice represents “inclusion in democracy at its best” and serves as a message to disabled people that with appropriate support, they can thrive and continue to pursue their goals. ElevenLabs has pledged to offer free and unlimited access to its voice-cloning technology for individuals facing permanent voice loss.

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