The Scarlett Johansson AI controversy has taken an unexpected turn as new details emerge regarding the voice behind the ChatGPT assistant known as Sky. According to reports, a different actress was actually hired to provide the voice for Sky, contradicting Johansson’s claims that OpenAI had copied her voice without permission.
Allegations surfaced when Johansson accused OpenAI of imitating her voice for the ChatGPT assistant after she declined an offer to be the human voice featured in the AI chatbot’s Voice Mode. However, an agent for the actress who voiced Sky revealed that her client was never asked to imitate Johansson’s voice during the audition process.
The agent disclosed that her client was chosen to create the voice for Sky months before any contact was made with Johansson. The name Sky was reportedly selected to convey a soothing and pleasant sound, and audio recordings of the actress’ voice test closely matched the AI-generated Sky voice.
Johansson had expressed shock and disbelief after hearing the released demo, claiming that the resemblance to her previous work in the film Her was too striking to be coincidental. She even considered legal action against OpenAI for allegedly plagiarizing her voice without consent.
In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman denied any intentional imitation of Johansson’s voice, stating that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before reaching out to Johansson. To show respect for Johansson, the company decided to pause using the Sky voice in their products and apologized for any misunderstanding.
Overall, the situation has sparked debate about the use of celebrity voices in AI technology and raised questions regarding intellectual property rights in the digital age. The voice actress behind Sky expressed her dismay at the backlash, emphasizing that her natural voice was the basis for the ChatGPT assistant and highlighting the evolving landscape of voice technology.
Moving forward, the controversy surrounding the Scarlett Johansson AI dispute serves as a reminder that the intersection of technology and entertainment continues to pose legal and ethical challenges that require careful consideration.
