---
title: "ElevenLabs Pledges to Restore 1 Million Voices with AI at SXSW 2026"
date: 2026-03-13
source: Mashable
source_url: https://mashable.com/article/elevenlabs-eric-dane-1-million-voices-initiative-sxsw-2026
tags: [ai-agents, sxsw-2026, panel, innovation, ai-ethics]
summary: AI audio company ElevenLabs announced a free voice restoration initiative for 1 million people with permanent voice loss, partnering with late actor Eric Dane's widow.
---

# ElevenLabs Pledges to Restore 1 Million Voices with AI at SXSW 2026

AI audio company ElevenLabs used SXSW 2026 as the stage to announce an ambitious new initiative: providing free AI voice restoration to 1 million people with permanent voice loss worldwide.

At a panel on Friday, ElevenLabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski appeared alongside Rebecca Gayheart Dane, wife of the late actor Eric Dane (known for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria"), to promote the initiative. The company is actively seeking people around the world who have lost their voices permanently and could benefit from AI-powered voice restoration technology.

The initiative represents one of the more compelling humanitarian applications of AI voice technology, moving beyond the controversial deepfake and voice cloning debates to focus on restoring communication abilities to those who have lost them due to medical conditions.

## Key Takeaways

- ElevenLabs will provide free AI voice restoration to 1 million people with permanent voice loss
- Partnership with Rebecca Gayheart Dane brings celebrity attention to the cause
- Demonstrates a positive, humanitarian use case for AI voice technology
- Announced live at SXSW 2026 panel in Austin