OpenAI chief, Sam Altman, issues a public apology to Scarlett Johansson following the release of a synthetic voice by the ChatGPT-maker that bears a striking resemblance to the actress. The voice, named Sky, was unveiled alongside other voices with the launch of the GPT-4o AI technology.
The technology was praised for its humanlike qualities, including its ability to engage in flirtatious and humorous conversations. This led to comparisons with the AI character voiced by Scarlett Johansson in the movie Her.
In response to Johansson’s outrage over the voice’s similarity to her own, OpenAI clarified that Sky’s voice actually belongs to a different professional actress using her natural speaking voice. Altman revealed that they had cast the voice actor for Sky before reaching out to Johansson and not as an imitation of the actress.
As a result of the controversy, OpenAI announced a pause on using Sky’s voice and expressed regret for the lack of communication with Johansson. The company emphasized that AI voices should not intentionally mimic a celebrity’s distinct voice.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between creating humanlike AI interactions while respecting privacy and individual identities. Tech giants, including Microsoft, have also emphasized the importance of distinguishing AI as a unique entity rather than replicating human characteristics.
OpenAI recently disbanded a team focused on addressing the long-term risks of artificial intelligence, further underscoring the complexities around AI development and ethics. The company’s commitment to responsible AI practices and privacy protection remains a key focus amid the evolving landscape of AI technologies.
