Is that 'Her'? OpenAI pauses ChatGPT project after Scarlett Johansson controversy
OpenAI has announced a pause in one of its ChatGPT voices dubbed "Sky" after users noted its similarity to Scarlett Johansson's voice. Scarlett Johansson famously voiced an AI assistant in the acclaimed 2013 film Her.
Controversy Surrounding ChatGPT's Voice Selection
In response to the concerns raised by users, OpenAI took to social media on Monday, May 20, to address the issue. The company stated that it is "working to pause" the Sky voice, acknowledging the questions regarding the selection process for the AI voices available on its chatbot.
OpenAI clarified that Sky's voice was not intended to mimic Scarlett Johansson's distinctive voice. The company revealed that the voice belonged to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. Despite this explanation, Scarlett Johansson expressed shock and disbelief at the similarity between her voice and Sky's voice.
Scarlett Johansson's Response
In a statement released on social media, Scarlett Johansson revealed that OpenAI's CEO had approached her in September to use her voice for the system. However, she declined the offer. Upon hearing the demo, Johansson was surprised by the resemblance between her voice and Sky's voice, prompting her to take legal action.
OpenAI eventually agreed to remove the Sky voice after receiving letters from Johansson's lawyers inquiring about the voice selection process. Despite the decision to pause Sky's use, OpenAI did not provide further details on why the voice was still created in the first place.
Implications for Deepfakes and AI Technology
This incident raises concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology, particularly in creating deepfakes that can mimic public personalities' voices and likenesses. The entertainment industry, in particular, has been vocal about the risks associated with such technology.
OpenAI had introduced voice capabilities for ChatGPT in September, offering users the option to interact with the AI assistant using different voices. The latest update, GPT-4o, boasts enhanced human-like responses and the ability to interpret emotions in conversations.
While GPT-4o is not widely available yet, it showcases the advancements in AI technology and its potential implications. With the increasing sophistication of AI models like ChatGPT, there is a growing need to address ethical considerations and safeguards against misuse.
Gendered Perspectives on AI Voice Assistants
The incident also highlights the gendered dynamics in the development of AI voice assistants. Critics have pointed out the tendency to assign default female voices to assistants like Siri and Alexa, reinforcing subservient stereotypes.
As AI technology evolves, it is crucial to promote inclusivity and diversity in voice assistant development, ensuring that these tools reflect ethical standards and societal values.
