Scarlett Johansson's recent disappointment with OpenAI's use of a voice similar to hers has sparked controversy.
After declining their offer to lend her voice to their ChatGPT 4.0 system, Johansson expressed frustration when she discovered the resemblance between the system's voice and her own.
The organization used a voice in their ChatGPT 4.0 system, named "Sky," that sounded strangely similar to hers.
According to Johansson, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, approached her in September 2023 with the proposal, suggesting that her voice would help bridge the gap between technology and creativity.
However, after careful consideration and for personal reasons, Johansson decided to decline the offer.
She believed that her voice could potentially make consumers feel more comfortable with the advancements in artificial intelligence and its impact on human interaction.
However, when OpenAI showcased the voice of the "Sky" system in a live presentation, both Johansson and those close to her spotted the undeniable similarity between the system's voice and Johansson's own.
Johansson was shocked and furious upon listening to the demo, expressing disbelief that Altman would choose a voice that closely mirrored her own.
She even mentioned that Altman implied that the similarity was intentional by tweeting the word "her" after the announcement of the new ChatGPT version.
Johansson also revealed that Altman had asked her to reconsider the offer, but before they could discuss it further, the "Sky" demo was already out.
When Scarlett Johansson realized the similarity between her voice and the one used by OpenAI in the "Sky" system, she decided to take legal action.
Her lawyers sent two letters to Altman and OpenAI, asking for specific details about how the "Sky" voice was created.
In the end, OpenAI reluctantly agreed to remove the voice, although they were not initially willing to do so.
Johansson emphasized the need for transparency and laws to protect individual rights when facing deep fakes and the protection of personal identities.
While OpenAI later claimed that the voice of "Sky" was not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson, they refused to disclose the name of the professional actress who provided the voice due to privacy reasons.
“In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our own likeness, our own work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity.
“I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected,” she said in an interview.
