OpenAI executives have recently addressed employee concerns following a series of controversies. The company has issued an apology and made corrections to a non-disparagement clause in its employee contracts. This move comes after criticism from former employees who were required to agree not to disparage the company in exchange for equity.
Furthermore, actress Scarlett Johansson has raised concerns about OpenAI’s ChatGPT developer, claiming that her voice was sampled for the company’s new voice assistant function without her permission. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has denied intentionally making the voice sound like Scarlett Johansson, stating that he never intended to mimic her voice. Johansson rejected an offer to be involved in the project.
The controversy surrounding OpenAI and Scarlett Johansson has brought to light the broader issue of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on actors and actresses. Many in the entertainment industry have been renegotiating their union agreements to safeguard against AI replacing their voice or likeness.
In response to the backlash, OpenAI has removed the offending clause from its contracts and has attempted to distance itself from the allegations of using Scarlett Johansson’s voice without consent. The company had issued a casting call for a voice that was warm, engaging, and charismatic, leading to speculation that the voice in question may have been sourced from an audition process rather than directly from Johansson.
While OpenAI has taken steps to address the concerns raised by both employees and Scarlett Johansson, the incident highlights the challenges that arise when utilizing AI technology in creative industries. The company will need to navigate these issues carefully to avoid further controversy and protect the rights of individuals in the entertainment sector.
