Scarlett Johansson, a popular actress, has accused OpenAI of creating a voice for its ChatGPT system that sounded “eerily similar” to her own, following her refusal to voice the chatbot.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clarified in an email to Reuters that Sky’s voice was not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson, but belonged to another professional actress. Sam Altman did not reveal the name of the actress.
OpenAI announced it was taking down the voice, named Sky since Scarlett Johansson expressed her discontent.
“The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers. We cast the voice actor behind Sky’s voice before any outreach to Scarlett Johansson,” Sam Altman stated. “Out of respect for Scarlett Johansson, we have paused using Sky’s voice in our products. We are sorry to Scarlett Johansson that we didn’t communicate better.”
The dispute highlights the growing concern in Hollywood over the use of AI to replicate actors’ voices and images, a contentious issue as AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human performances.
Scarlett Johansson revealed that Altman had approached her in September with an offer to voice a ChatGPT character, which she declined. “Nine months later, my friends, family, and the general public all noted how much the newest system named ‘Sky’ sounded like me,” she said.
“When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” Scarlett Johansson said.
Scarlett Johansson also accused Sam Altman of insinuating the similarity was intentional by referencing “her,” the 2013 film where Johansson voices an AI assistant, in a tweet. Her statement, shared by NPR and other media outlets, indicated she had hired legal counsel to investigate the creation process of Sky’s voice.
OpenAI recently unveiled its latest AI model, GPT-4o, featuring advanced audio capabilities that allow users to engage in real-time conversations with the chatbot, marking a significant leap toward more realistic AI interactions.
Scarlett Johansson, renowned for her versatile acting skills and captivating on-screen presence, has achieved significant acclaim throughout her career. She rose to prominence with her performance in “Lost in Translation” (2003), earning a BAFTA Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe nomination.
Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Charlotte in this film showcased her ability to bring depth and nuance to complex characters, setting the stage for a career filled with critically acclaimed roles. Her work in films such as “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (2003) and “Match Point” (2005) further solidified her reputation as a formidable actress, earning her additional award nominations and praise from both audiences and critics.
In addition to her dramatic roles, Scarlett Johansson has made a significant impact in the action and science fiction genres. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This role, spanning over a decade and featuring in blockbuster hits like “The Avengers” (2012), “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014), and “Black Widow” (2021), has made her one of the highest-grossing actresses of all time, according to media reports.
Beyond her film work, Scarlett Johansson has also ventured into voice acting, notably providing the voice for the AI character in the critically acclaimed film “Her” (2013). Her contributions to the film industry have been acknowledged with two Academy Award nominations in 2020 for her roles in “Marriage Story” and “Jojo Rabbit,” highlighting her range and enduring talent.
