A brain implant powered by AI has enabled a paralysed woman to speak almost instantly, offering new hope for those who have lost their ability to communicate. Developed by researchers in California, the experimental system translates brain signals into speech in real-time.

Ann, a 47-year-old who lost her voice after a stroke 18 years ago, previously used a brain-computer interface (BCI) with an eight-second delay.

The latest model, published inNature Neuroscience, reduces that time to just 80 milliseconds, allowing more natural conversations. Scientists trained the system using deep learning and reconstructed Ann's voice from past recordings.

Although the vocabulary remains limited, the breakthrough marks a major step towards real-world applications. Researchers believe with proper funding, the technology could become widely available within a decade, helping many regain their voice.