Recently, Scarlett Johansson revealed that OpenAI approached her to be the voice behind ChatGPT but proceeded to create a voice that closely resembled hers when she declined the offer. She expressed her shock and dismay at the situation, leading to the involvement of legal counsel to address the matter.
OpenAI, through Sam Altman, clarified that the voice of Sky, which was the ChatGPT voice that sounded like Johansson, was not intended to resemble her. They claimed to have cast the voice actor behind Sky before reaching out to Johansson. Following the controversy, OpenAI halted the use of Sky’s voice out of respect for Johansson and acknowledged the lack of effective communication.
Johansson was taken aback by the striking similarity between the voice of Sky and her own voice. She emphasized her desire for transparency from OpenAI regarding the creation process of Sky’s voice. Despite OpenAI’s assertion that the voice was from a hired actor speaking in their natural voice, Johansson and her representatives sought further details from the company.
Legal Intervention
In response to the situation, Johansson enlisted legal representation to address the issue with OpenAI. Two letters were sent to the company requesting information on how the voice of Sky was developed. OpenAI ultimately agreed to remove Sky’s voice, indicating a willingness to cooperate with Johansson’s concerns over the matter.
The controversy involving OpenAI’s ChatGPT voice raises questions about the ethical use of likeness and the protection of personal identity. In a time when deepfakes and misappropriation of voices are prevalent, there is a growing need for clarity and transparency in the development and deployment of AI-generated content.
The clash between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI over the voice of ChatGPT underscores the complexities of technology’s intersection with personal identity and likeness. While OpenAI maintains that the voice replication was unintentional, Johansson’s concerns highlight the importance of clear communication and ethical considerations in AI development projects. As the dialogue continues between the parties involved, the incident serves as a cautionary tale for the tech industry to navigate the delicate balance between innovation and ethical responsibilities.
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