My Voice Not AI: The Unexpected Challenge of a Class Presentation

Imagine this: I’m gearing up for a video presentation in one of my classes, ready to showcase my hard work. It’s supposed to be straightforward where you record, submit, and wait for the grade. Simple, right? Well, not quite. Instead, it turned into a small fiasco when my teacher’s assistant (TA) accused me of using an AI-generated voice. Yes, you heard that right.

Here’s what happened. As someone who’s nonverbal, I rely on a computer-generated voice for all my communication. So, I crafted a solid script, programmed it into my device, and created a presentation I was genuinely proud of. I submitted it with the confidence that I’d done a great job.

A few days later, I got my graded assignment back, expecting to see a good score. Instead, I noticed points had been deducted. The comment from the TA read, “This presentation appears to use an AI-generated voice, which does not meet the assignment criteria.”

My initial reaction? Total disbelief. “AI-generated voice?” I thought I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. Yes, my voice is computer-generated, but that’s my voice, my everyday means of communication. I was confused, frustrated, and a little amused all at once. How could something so personal be mistaken for artificial intelligence?

And then, I had a good laugh and thought, Oh, I can fight this. I started imagining myself as the lead in some epic courtroom drama, battling it out in front of a jury, news cameras flashing, reporters spilling out the courtroom doors. I was already picturing the viral headline: “Misunderstood Voice: Disabled Student Defends Their Communication Style.” Yeah, I was ready.

Even my disability counselor at the university couldn’t help but crack up when I told her the story. She was ready to start a riot on my behalf just to set the record straight.

But in reality, the TA understood pretty quickly when I sent over a video explaining how I communicate. No need for a courtroom showdown after all. The TA apologized and corrected my grade.

This experience taught me some important lessons. First, the power of clear communication. If I hadn’t spoken up, the misunderstanding could have seriously affected my final grade. Second, it highlighted the need for greater awareness and understanding of different communication methods. Lastly, it reminded me of the importance of resilience. It would have been easy to accept the grade and move on, but standing up for myself made all the difference.

In the end, what started as a frustrating mix-up became a learning opportunity. It was a reminder that even in a world where technology can blur the lines, our human touch, our voice, effort, and persistence, matters most. So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to speak up. Sometimes, the simplest explanations can clear up the biggest misunderstandings.