Scarlett Johansson has expressed her dismay towards OpenAI for using a voice in its ChatGPT platform that closely resembles her own. The renowned actor disclosed that she had declined an offer from OpenAI nine months ago to lend her voice to their AI system due to personal reasons. However, she was both shocked and angered to discover that the AI voice option, named Sky, bore a striking resemblance to hers, causing confusion among her friends and the media.
Following widespread criticism, OpenAI decided to withdraw the Sky voice from ChatGPT. The voice had been prominently featured in a recent event showcasing the new ChatGPT-4o model, where it received praise for its personable and responsive nature.
Despite comparisons being drawn between Sky and Johansson’s AI character in the movie Her, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seemingly hinted at the intentional resemblance by tweeting Her after the presentation. However, OpenAI clarified that Sky’s voice was not based on Scarlett Johansson. The voice was actually provided by a different professional actress, whose identity has not been disclosed for privacy reasons.
The controversy surrounding Sky’s voice also brought attention to the flirtatious and gendered tones it possessed, sparking discussions about the design choices in AI voices. Critics, including The Daily Show host Desi Lydic, raised concerns about the gendered nature of the voice and its implications.
OpenAI defended its selection process, claiming that Sky’s voice was chosen for its timeless and trustworthy qualities. The company reviewed hundreds of voice submissions over a five-month period before selecting five voices for ChatGPT, with recording sessions conducted in San Francisco.
Amidst the fallout from the controversy, OpenAI’s safety team saw the resignation of key members, including researcher Jan Leike, who criticized the company for prioritizing product appeal over safety. In response, Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman reassured that OpenAI would not release products if safety concerns were present.
In a blog post, OpenAI highlighted its collaboration with the entertainment industry and the compensation of voice actors, addressing legal and ethical challenges faced by AI companies. These challenges include lawsuits and strikes from major entertainment unions like SAG-AFTRA, concerned about the impact of AI on human labor and likeness rights.
