Scarlett Johansson “Angered” by ChatGPT Voice Resembling Her
Scarlett Johansson is pushing back against OpenAI, alleging that the company has leveraged her voice for one of its “Voice Mode” options despite her rejection of a collaboration offer from CEO Sam Altman.
Johansson's Refusal of Collaboration
In a statement released recently, Johansson revealed that Altman approached her with a proposal to “hire” her “to voice the current ChatGPT 4.0 system.” Despite Altman's attempts to persuade her by suggesting that she could facilitate a connection between tech firms and creative individuals, enhancing consumer acceptance of the significant shift in human-AI interactions, Johansson turned down the offer.
The Unveiling of "Sky" Voice Option
However, OpenAI introduced a new voice option named “Sky” not long after, bearing a striking resemblance to Johansson's speech patterns and delivery. This move led to speculation that OpenAI proceeded to use her voice as a model, especially considering Johansson's portrayal of a chatbot in the movie Her. Additionally, during a demonstration of the “Sky” voice, Altman tweeted “her.”
Legal Action and Accountability
Johansson has taken legal action, requesting OpenAI to provide a detailed account of the process involved in creating the ‘Sky’ voice. Following the dispatch of two letters (one to OpenAI and one to Altman), “OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the ‘Sky’ voice.”
Johansson emphasized the importance of clarity in a time rife with deepfakes and the protection of personal likeness and work. She advocated for transparency and the implementation of appropriate legislation to safeguard individual rights.
OpenAI's Response
Altman refuted claims that “Sky” emulated Johansson's voice, stating, “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 Ms. Johansson. Out of respect for Ms. Johansson, we have paused using Sky’s voice in our products. We are sorry to Ms. Johansson that we didn’t communicate better.”
Statement from Scarlett Johansson on the OpenAI situation. Wow
Conclusion
Ensuring accountability in the digital landscape is crucial, especially in cases involving the unauthorized use of one's identity. Johansson's stance reflects the need for clear regulations to safeguard individual rights amidst technological advancements.
