AFL legend and 2025 Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, who has been courageously battling motor neurone disease since 2013, has achieved an incredible milestone, speaking in his own voice again after years of being unable to.
This remarkable breakthrough is thanks to cutting-edge technology.
After losing his ability to speak, Daniher relied on eye-gaze technology to control computers and communication devices using only his eye movements. Initially, the system used a robotic, artificial voice, but now, with the help of Artificial Intelligence and audio from his past media appearances, the technology has brought his own voice back to life.
This breakthrough not only highlights the power of AI but also serves as a testament to Daniher’s resilience and the strides being made in assistive technology. An inspiring reminder of how innovation can make the impossible, possible.
When speaking to Channel 7, Neale said that ‘It’s much better than the robot voice I had, but I don’t sit around listening to myself all day’
His wife Jan added that “It’s really exciting and the first time we heard it, we were just gobsmacked.”
Daniher is gearing up for an exciting milestone on Tuesday as he heads to Perth for his first official interstate trip as Australian of the Year.
Neale Daniher can now use his own voice again despite the debilitating effects of motor neurone disease. It is all thanks to artificial intelligence and will be unveiled to the public on his first official interstate visit as Australian of the Year. @NickMcCallum7 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/dblt5aGc4D
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 1, 2025
Together with Jan and their WA-based son Luke, he will lead this year’s inspiring Hand in Hand Crossing for Inclusion over Matagarup Bridge. The event sets the stage for an electrifying Fremantle Dockers clash against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
“We know how strong and caring the football community is and how it bonds people together for great causes,” Daniher said.
His courageous fight against MND and his dedication to raising awareness through events like the Big Freeze have made him a true Aussie hero.
As co-founder of FightMND, Daniher has been a driving force in funding vital research and care initiatives, bringing hope and support to countless people battling this devastating illness.
“The Big Freeze is a perfect example of what people power, combined with football, can do to improve the lives of others.”
Since 2014, FightMND has poured over $115.78 million into groundbreaking care and research initiatives, all driven by one powerful mission, ‘to create a world free of MND.’
To learn more about FightMND or find out how you can get involved, visit their website today.
