OpenAI Pulls ChatGPT Voice 'Sky' After Users Say It Sounds Like Scarlett Johansson
OpenAI has decided to remove the ChatGPT voice called Sky from its features after receiving feedback from users who pointed out the striking resemblance between the chatbot's voice and that of Scarlett Johansson. While some users noted the similarity to the actress known for her role in "Her," OpenAI clarified that Sky's voice was performed by a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice, not meant to impersonate Scarlett Johansson.
The AI company made this announcement in a blog post on Monday, emphasizing the importance of avoiding deliberate mimicry of celebrity voices. They also mentioned that the names of the voice actors were kept private to protect their privacy.
Voice Selection Process
In September 2023, OpenAI introduced voice capabilities for interactions with ChatGPT, offering five distinct voices named Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky. These voices were sourced from voice actors who collaborated with the company during the development phase. OpenAI ensured that the actors received compensation above market rates for their contributions.
Addressing concerns raised by users, OpenAI revealed that they are temporarily pausing the use of the Sky voice to investigate the matter further.
Recent Developments
Recently, OpenAI showcased its new GPT-4o model, which enhances voice features, making them more expressive and capable of real-time language translation. This demo brought additional attention to the voice feature, leading to the decision to reassess the Sky voice.
For more information, you can read the full article on TheWrap.
