On February 1, David Betts, a former healthcare consultant and endurance athlete, unveiled his groundbreaking AI-powered communication app, Talk To Me, Goose. Designed specifically for individuals affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the app aims to help users maintain their voices and communication styles even as the disease progresses. This initiative comes in light of Betts’ personal battle with ALS, diagnosed in December 2024, which gradually impairs muscle control, including speech.
Betts, who previously held a senior leadership position at Deloitte, has always been driven by a relentless pursuit of solutions. His career as a healthcare consultant and an Ironman triathlete is testament to his commitment to overcoming challenges. The diagnosis of ALS, a terminal condition affecting approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States, presented Betts with a new kind of obstacle. Rather than succumb to despair, he utilized his skills to create an innovative tool for those facing similar struggles.
Reflecting on his journey, Betts expressed that the most alarming symptom of ALS for him was not the loss of mobility, but the potential loss of his voice. “I knew what awaited me if I did nothing,” he stated, recalling his fear of being reduced to a robotic speech similar to that of physicist Stephen Hawking. Betts believed that technology should evolve beyond outdated assistive devices and sought to address the emotional and identity aspects of communication.
With no prior experience in app development, Betts took the initiative to learn coding through online courses and leveraged AI tools to expedite the process. “I used it very much like a teammate,” he remarked. Within weeks, he had developed a working prototype, and soon after, a fully operational app utilizing voice-cloning technology from ElevenLabs. This technology allowed him to create a digital version of his own voice using just 30 short audio clips.
One of Betts’ key goals for Talk To Me, Goose is to eliminate what he refers to as “the awkward pause” in communication—a common frustration for ALS patients who struggle to type quickly. The app predicts users’ intent and emotional tone, enhancing the fluidity of conversation and reducing feelings of isolation.
The impact of this innovation became profoundly real when Betts learned of a family in Montana. A father, unable to speak due to advanced ALS, used Betts’ app to narrate a bedtime story to his children. This emotional connection reaffirmed Betts’ mission, leading him to declare, “I don’t care if anyone ever uses the app again. Mission accomplished.”
In April, Betts reached out to the ALS community through social media, which led him to connect with Wendy Faust, executive director of the Live Like Lou Foundation. The foundation, named after MLB Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, aims to improve the quality of life for ALS patients through support and research initiatives. Their collaboration enabled Betts to provide the app for free to ALS patients in the United States and Canada, making it accessible across multiple platforms and in 31 languages.
Looking ahead, Betts envisions a larger global impact. “There are 97 million people globally who would benefit from assistive technology,” he noted. His work has garnered international recognition, as he was selected as a Zero Project Awardee and is scheduled to speak at the United Nations Office in Vienna. The Zero Project is dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with disabilities and has recognized Betts’ app for its innovative approach to assistive technology.
To further support the sustainability of Talk To Me, Goose, Betts also founded a companion storytelling platform called Fables Adventures. This initiative aims to generate revenue through subscriptions and community contributions, ensuring continued access to the app for ALS patients. So far, Betts has raised over $81,000 for the Live Like Lou Foundation with a fundraising goal of $250,000 for the year.
As he continues to navigate the challenges posed by ALS, Betts remains determined and optimistic. He still rides his bike and engages in physical activities, reminding himself of the progress he has made. “I say, ‘Not yet,’” he asserts, emphasizing his refusal to succumb to defeat.
David Betts embodies resilience and innovation, showing that even in the face of a terminal diagnosis, one can create meaningful solutions that impact the lives of many. Through Talk To Me, Goose, he provides a powerful tool that restores voices and fosters connections, proving that technology can indeed be harnessed for good.
