OpenAI Faces Backlash for Voice Similar to Scarlett Johansson in ChatGPT
OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence company, is under fire for using a voice in its ChatGPT model that users found to be eerily similar to actress Scarlett Johansson. The company announced on Monday that they are removing the voice, known as Sky, after Johansson herself released a statement expressing her concerns.
In her statement, Johansson revealed that OpenAI approached her last September to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system, but she declined the offer for personal reasons. However, she was shocked to discover that the voice used in the system, named Sky, sounded remarkably like her own. Johansson hired legal counsel to address the issue and ensure her likeness was not being exploited.
The controversy arose after a demo of the ChatGPT model went viral on social media, with many users noting the similarities between Sky’s voice and Johansson’s portrayal of a virtual assistant in the film “Her.” Some criticized the voice for being overly flirtatious, while others found it unsettling.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to the backlash by stating that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any outreach to Johansson, and the resemblance was unintentional. The company has since paused the use of Sky’s voice in their products out of respect for Johansson.
Moving forward, OpenAI plans to introduce additional voices in ChatGPT to better cater to the diverse preferences of users. The incident has sparked a larger conversation about the ethics of using celebrity likenesses in AI technology and the need for transparency in the development process.