Scarlett Johansson lawyers up over OpenAI’s ChatGPT voice controversy

The AI voice controversy: Scarlett Johansson lawyers up against OpenAI

Many people have noticed that one of OpenAI’s voices for ChatGPT sounds remarkably like Scarlett Johansson’s AI assistant character in the movie “Her.” It seems that Johansson herself agrees, as she has now taken legal action against the AI company.

OpenAI recently announced a “pause” on offering the voice known as “Sky” for ChatGPT, after users pointed out the striking resemblance to Johansson’s character. In a statement released by Johansson, she revealed that she had turned down an offer from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to use her voice for ChatGPT 4.0 last September.

The dispute between Johansson and OpenAI highlights the growing concerns among creative artists about the potential impact of AI on their work. Johansson expressed shock and anger at the similarity between the AI voice and her own, prompting her lawyers to demand more information from OpenAI about the development process.

OpenAI has defended its position, stating that Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different actress using her own natural speaking voice. However, the company has agreed to pause the availability of Sky in response to Johansson’s concerns.

The incident raises questions about the use of celebrity voices in AI technology and the need for transparency and legislation to protect individual rights. It also underscores the challenges faced by tech companies in navigating the complex relationship between technology and creativity.

As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how OpenAI will address Johansson’s concerns and whether this controversy will have broader implications for the use of celebrity voices in AI. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.