Scarlett Johansson Says She Was 'Shocked' and 'Angered' Over OpenAI's Use of Voice in ChatGPT System
Actor Scarlett Johansson recently revealed that she declined OpenAI's request for her voice to be used in a conversational ChatGPT system. She expressed feeling "shocked" and "angered" when the company proceeded to use a voice that closely resembled hers without her consent.
In a statement to Variety, Johansson mentioned that her legal team reached out to OpenAI to have the voice of Sky, one of the new voices in the GPT-4o chatbot, pulled down. OpenAI had introduced the Sky voice, which bore a striking similarity to Johansson's AI character in the movie "Her," during a demo of GPT-4o.
Concerns and Actions Taken
Johansson shared that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had approached her in September 2023 to provide the voice for ChatGPT 4.0, a request she declined for personal reasons. However, she was taken aback when she heard the released demo featuring a voice similar to hers, prompting her to express her frustration and disappointment at the situation.
OpenAI, in response to the backlash, decided to "pause" the use of the Sky voice, emphasizing that it was not intended to imitate Scarlett Johansson but was voiced by a different actress with her own natural speaking voice.
Call for Legislation and Transparency
In light of this incident, Johansson called for legislation to safeguard individuals from having their name, image, or likeness misused. She stressed the importance of clarity and transparency in protecting personal rights, especially in an era marked by deepfakes and digital replication.
OpenAI issued a statement apologizing for the oversight and confirmed that they had cast the voice actor for Sky before any engagement with Johansson. The company expressed regret over the lack of communication and assured that they would no longer use Sky's voice in their products.
SAG-AFTRA Support and Industry Response
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) stood in solidarity with Johansson and echoed her advocacy for legislative measures to safeguard voice and likeness rights. They emphasized the need for transparent protections for all individuals, particularly those in the entertainment industry.
In response to OpenAI's actions, SAG-AFTRA expressed appreciation for the decision to halt the use of Sky's voice and expressed readiness to collaborate with industry stakeholders to establish stronger safeguards.
Looking Ahead
Johansson's experience with the misuse of her voice highlights the growing concerns around the ethical use of technology and the protection of personal identity. As discussions around legislation and accountability continue, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of clear guidelines in safeguarding individual rights in the digital age.
For the latest updates and entertainment news, stay tuned to Variety.
