Scarlett Johansson recently made a statement claiming that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman used a voice similar to hers for the organization’s artificial intelligence voice software without her permission. This controversy arose after OpenAI launched its ChatGPT AI voice named “Sky,” which sounded eerily like Johansson’s voice from the movie “Her.”
Johansson revealed that Altman had initially approached her in September last year and then again two days before announcing ChatGPT-4o in May. She clearly declined the offer due to personal reasons but was surprised when she heard the released demo of the new AI voice system which closely resembled her own voice. This led her to hire legal counsel to address the issue.
Intentional or Coincidental?
The fact that Altman tweeted the word “her” on the day of the AI launch raised further suspicions regarding the intentional use of Johansson’s voice. The actor expressed shock, anger, and disbelief at the striking similarities between her voice and the AI voice, despite OpenAI’s claims that the voice belongs to a different professional actress.
Seeking Clarity and Transparency
Johansson stated that she wrote two letters to Altman and OpenAI requesting detailed information on the process of creating the Sky voice. She emphasized the importance of transparency, especially in a time when concerns over deepfakes and the protection of personal likeness and identity are on the rise. The actor expects clear resolution and the implementation of relevant legislation to safeguard individual rights in such situations.
Previous Legal Battles
Scarlett Johansson has a history of standing up against large companies like Disney, with whom she settled a breach of contract lawsuit in 2021. This background indicates her willingness to fight for her rights and protect her interests, as seen in the current dispute with OpenAI over the unauthorized use of her voice likenesses.
OpenAI’s Response
In response to Johansson’s allegations, OpenAI denied that Sky’s voice was an imitation of the actor’s voice. The organization claimed that the voice belonged to a different actress using her natural speaking voice, but they were unable to disclose the identity of the actress due to privacy concerns. OpenAI’s statement may add further complexity to the situation, as it contradicts Johansson’s claims.
The Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI controversy highlights the ongoing challenges around consent, privacy, and intellectual property rights in the era of advanced artificial intelligence. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication, respect for individual rights, and the need for transparency in technological developments that involve human voices and likeness. It remains to be seen how this dispute will be resolved and what implications it may have for future collaborations between tech companies and prominent figures in the entertainment industry.