OpenAI's ChatGPT voice controversy: Scarlett Johansson lookalike raises eyebrows

ChatGPT voice that sounds like Scarlett Johansson pulled by OpenAI

Tech firm OpenAI has decided to pull the new female voice from its artificial intelligence chatbot after facing criticisms that it sounds eerily similar to Scarlett Johansson. The actress, known for her roles in movies like Lost in Translation and Marriage Story, expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing the voice called Sky on the updated ChatGPT.

Scarlett Johansson was made aware of the resemblance when social media users pointed out that the voice had similarities to her character in the movie Her, a 2013 film where a man develops a romantic relationship with an AI system. The day the new voice was unveiled, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, posted a single word on X: "her". Early users of the system noted how realistic and "flirty" the voice sounded.

Issues with the Voice

Scarlett Johansson, aged 39, disclosed that Sam Altman initially approached her to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system, believing that her voice would bring comfort to users as they interacted with AI technology. However, Johansson declined the offer for personal reasons. Despite her refusal, OpenAI went ahead and created the voice of Sky, which bore a striking resemblance to the actress.

In a public statement, Scarlett Johansson expressed her shock and anger at the uncanny similarity, stating that the incident highlighted the necessity for legislation to safeguard individuals from having their identities exploited without consent. She emphasized the importance of clarity in protecting one's likeness and work in an era marked by challenges such as deepfakes.

OpenAI's Response

OpenAI confirmed that they would pause the use of the new voice while addressing concerns surrounding its development. CEO Sam Altman expressed regret for the lack of communication with Scarlett Johansson, clarifying that the voice of Sky was never intended to mimic hers.

The company detailed their rigorous audition process, involving over 400 voice actors, to ensure that AI voices did not imitate distinct celebrity voices like Scarlett Johansson's. Each professional actress used their natural speaking voice to bring Sky to life, with OpenAI prioritizing privacy and compensation for the actors involved.

Industry Controversy

This incident adds to the ongoing competition among tech firms striving to dominate the AI market, projected to reach a value of $2,760 billion by 2032, as estimated. OpenAI, currently valued at $80 billion, continues to innovate with the recent enhancements to ChatGPT, offering users improved text, video, and audio capabilities.

As the AI landscape evolves rapidly, stakeholders navigate the intricacies of ethical AI development and the protection of individual identities and rights.