Scarlett Johansson Accuses OpenAI CEO of Copying Her Voice for AI Chatbot
Scarlett Johansson, known for her soothing voice in the film Her, has accused OpenAI CEO Sam Altman of copying her voice for his recently launched AI voice called “Sky.” According to a statement shared by NPR, Johansson revealed that Altman initially approached her to voice his Chatbot in 2023, but she declined the offer. However, when Sky’s voice was revealed to the public in May, Johansson noticed the uncanny similarity between their voices. Altman even tweeted the word “her,” referencing the film in which Johansson voiced a chat system. Johansson has hired legal counsel, and as a result, Altman and OpenAI have temporarily paused the use of Sky’s voice.
Johansson explained that Altman believed her voice could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives, making consumers feel comfortable with the integration of humans and AI. However, she declined the offer for personal reasons. Despite her refusal, Johansson was surprised to find that Sky’s voice sounded remarkably similar to hers. She expressed shock, anger, and disbelief, stating that even her closest friends and news outlets couldn’t tell the difference. Altman’s tweet on launch day, featuring the word “her,” further fueled Johansson’s suspicions.
After the release of ChatGPT 4.0, Altman’s team reached out to Johansson two days prior, but it was too late as the system was already out. Johansson was then forced to hire legal counsel, who sent letters to Altman and OpenAI, demanding an explanation of the process used to create the “Sky” voice. As a result, Altman and his company have temporarily halted the use of Sky’s voice, giving Johansson an early victory in her battle.
Scarlett Johansson Demands Clarity and Legislation Amidst Deepfake Scandal
In a time when the world is grappling with the issue of deepfakes and the protection of individual rights, Scarlett Johansson has taken a stand. The actress recently spoke out, expressing her concerns and calling for absolute clarity on the matter. She emphasized the need for transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to ensure the safeguarding of our own likeness, work, and identities.
Responding to Johansson’s statement, Sky Altman, the creator of the controversial voice behind Sky, released his own statement on May 20. Altman clarified that the voice of Sky was never intended to resemble Johansson’s and was cast before any contact was made with the actress. However, he acknowledged the lack of communication and expressed his apologies to Johansson. As a result, the use of Sky’s voice in their products has been temporarily paused out of respect for the actress.
While it is clear that the disagreement between Altman and Johansson is far from over, we applaud the actress for speaking up and setting an example. The rise of artificial intelligence poses a serious threat to celebrities, as their likeness can be manipulated as technology advances. Johansson’s courageous stance against this issue deserves recognition and support.
As we await further developments, it is essential to address the concerns raised by Johansson and work towards protecting individual rights in the face of advancing technology. The need for legislation and transparency has never been more crucial. Let us hope that this incident sparks a wider conversation and leads to meaningful change.
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