Hollywood Actress Scarlett Johansson Raises Concerns Over AI Voice Similarity, OpenAI Issues Response
A recent controversy has emerged between Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence company, regarding the use of a voice that Johansson claims sounds remarkably similar to her own.
Johansson accused OpenAI of creating a voice for their ChatGPT system, named ‘Sky,’ that bore a striking resemblance to her voice after she declined an offer to voice the chatbot herself. In a statement released by Johansson, she expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing the released demo of Sky, stating that the voice sounded so eerily similar to hers that even her closest friends and news outlets could not distinguish the difference.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Johansson‘s allegations, asserting that Sky’s voice was not an imitation of Johansson‘s, but rather belonged to a different professional actress. Altman clarified that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any outreach to Johansson and expressed regret for any misunderstanding. As a gesture of respect to Johansson, OpenAI announced that they would pause using Sky’s voice in their products.
The dispute sheds light on the growing concerns surrounding the rights to actors’ voices and images in the age of artificial intelligence. With studios exploring the use of AI to create new entertainment content, questions arise regarding the ethical and legal implications of replicating human voices and likenesses without consent.
Johansson‘s statement highlighted the importance of communication and transparency in such matters, emphasizing the need for clarity and mutual understanding between creators and actors. She expressed frustration at the insinuation that the similarity was intentional, referencing a tweet by Altman that mentioned her in connection with the AI voice.
As technology continues to advance, the boundaries between reality and artificiality blur, raising complex issues about identity, ownership, and consent. The dispute between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI serves as a reminder of the challenges and controversies that accompany the intersection of entertainment and artificial intelligence.
