UCLA Department of Communication's 50th Anniversary: Humanizing AI Through Voice

At 'The Bridge to Humanizing AI,' an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of UCLA's Department of Communication, participants explored how AI is reshaping communication, empathy, and human connection. At the heart of the event was a digital avatar of United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt, brought to life using ElevenLabs' voice generation technology.

Participants engaged in natural conversations with Rothblatt's avatar, directly experiencing how the realism, tone, and visual embodiment of voice affect trust and understanding between humans and AI. This reflects UCLA's academic focus on studying how humans relate to technology, beyond mere technical functionality.

A panel discussion featuring Ray Kurzweil and UCLA faculty also explored the following topics in depth:

• The instinct to anthropomorphize intelligent systems
• The dynamics of AI-driven echo chambers
• Why communication remains essential in an era where AI is becoming commonplace

This project was supported through the ElevenLabs Impact Program, which aims to help educators and researchers utilize voice AI technology in academic and public-interest contexts.