Innovative Technology Recreates Historic Supreme Court Decision on School Desegregation

Innovative Voice-Cloning Technology Brings Historic Brown v. Board of Education Decision to Life

Seventy years ago on Friday, Chief Justice Earl Warren announced the groundbreaking Brown v. Board of Education decision on school desegregation. At that time, no one outside of the US Supreme Court building could hear his words. But now, thanks to a cutting-edge voice-cloning technology, people can “hear” Warren read the decision as he did on May 17, 1954.

The recreated audio of the historic decision, along with oral arguments by lawyers including the future Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, is available on the “Brown Revisited” website at brown.oyez.org. This project was spearheaded by former Northwestern University professor Jerry Goldman, who wanted to offer a more immersive experience for people interested in Supreme Court cases.

Goldman’s frustration with the lack of audio recordings from the time of the Brown decision led him to explore the use of artificial intelligence to recreate the voices of key figures involved in the case. Through a meticulous process of melding voice samples with actors reading historical transcripts, the team behind “Brown Revisited” was able to bring the past to life in a new and engaging way.

The significance of the Brown decision in the civil rights movement cannot be understated. By striking down the 1896 decision that allowed racial segregation in schools, the Supreme Court fundamentally changed America’s approach to equality and civil rights.

While some experts have raised concerns about the ethical implications of voice-cloning technology, the creators of “Brown Revisited” maintain that their project is a “deep true” rather than a deepfake. By using actual recordings and historical documentation, they aim to provide a valuable educational resource for those interested in this pivotal moment in American history.

For those curious about the past and eager to gain a new perspective on historical events, the “Brown Revisited” project offers a unique and immersive experience that sheds light on the voices and arguments that shaped a landmark Supreme Court decision.