High School Broadcasting Club in Japan Examine the Value of Voice in Documentary About Teacher Who Lost His Voice To Throat Cancer
Sendai Commercial High School Broadcasting Club in Japan won the NHK ( a.k.a Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Excellence Award at the 69th NHK Cup National High School Broadcasting Contest using AI voice software “CoeFont” to examine the “value of voice.”
CoeFont Co., Ltd., a registered startup company at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, developer and provider of services utilizing AI, announced that Sendai Commercial High School won the Excellence Award at the 69th NHK Cup National High School Broadcasting Contest held from July 25th ~ 28th, 2022, with the video work “Can you hear me?” utilizing the CoeFont AI voice platform. September 7th, 2022, 12:00 JST
The project began with an email from the Sendai Commercial High School broadcasting club to Tokyo Tech Startup and AI voice specialists CoeFont. “We are making a documentary about our teacher who lost his voice to throat cancer but can speak to us using CoeFont. We were wondering if it would be possible to interview members of the CoeFont team?” Witnessing their teacher lose his voice forced the students to reflect on the significance of their own voices and the consequences of losing them. Apart from examining the deeper meaning of the voice, the students also delved into the more practical aspects. The documentary included a story of how another teacher on the faculty developed a text-inputting app to assist their less tech-savvy colleague.
CoeFont’s Reaction
After learning about their project, we were happy to provide the students with technical explanations and answer their questions. Hearing the students’ insights reminded us of the significance of our work. We will continue to improve our AI voice platform to assist people at risk of losing their voices in maintaining the lives they and their loved ones had before.
Maki Ito, Sendai Commercial High School Broadcasting Club President
Since this was the first TV documentary we had ever produced, even with a lot of discussion among the group, it was a trial-and-error process.
We were really nervous when our film was screened. The final was held at the NHK Hall, which is a massive theater, and our work was being watched by Broadcasting Clubs from all over the country. But more than that, we were so happy to be there. Receiving the Excellence Award at such a prestigious venue made us feel very proud. I hope our film will reach lots of people.
Jun Sasaki, Sendai Commercial High School Broadcasting Club Teacher Advisor
The broadcasting club wanted to produce a TV-style documentary about a faculty member who is able to talk with pupils in his own digital voice using CoeFont’s technology. The composition and content evolved rapidly during the club meetings and production process, and the final product was a piece investigating whether thoughts are conveyed through voice. The interviews and technical explanations from CoeFont added an extra depth to the documentary. It took our students 3 years to produce, and the end result was amazing. I can’t say how happy I am for them.
Using Technology to Create a Better Future
CoeFont have been providing their AI voice platform “CoeFont” free of charge to people who are scheduled to have their vocal cords removed or are at risk of losing their voices due to the progression of ALS or other medical conditions. The platform has received an overwhelming response from patients, their families, and medical institutions, and are committed to using AI and other cutting-edge technology to contribute to society and to improve people’s quality of life.
ALS patients can apply for the free plan below: https://bit.ly/CoeFontDHW220621
About the CoeFont Platform
CoeFont( https://CoeFont.cloud ), an innovative AI Voice Platform using the latest AI technology to convert voices into expressive, easy-to-use digital voices which can be used with Text-To-Speech, Voice Changer, and Cross-Lingual TTS. The CoeFont platform provides immediate access to our Voice Hub with over 10,000 diverse digital voices. Whether for training sessions, internal announcements, audiobooks, promotional content, or live during meetings or streaming, these voices are always ready to bring your ideas to life.
About CoeFont., Ltd
Established in 2020, CoeFont Co., Ltd., registered at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, develops and provides AI-based services. The company is currently focused on AI-based speech synthesis and is developing an ethical and inclusive AI voice platform. CoeFont ( https://CoeFont.cloud), is available in all countries and regions.
Related Links
- Website: https://CoeFont.cloud
- X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/coefont_global
