Scarlett Johansson vs OpenAI: The controversy around using 'her' voice
What's the story
Scarlett Johansson, the acclaimed actor, has publicly accused OpenAI of using a voice strikingly similar to hers for their ChatGPT voice assistant. This accusation comes despite her explicit refusal to lend her voice to the project. Johansson revealed that she was approached by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman last September with an offer to be the voice behind their new GPT-4o system, which she declined for personal reasons.
Information
ChatGPT's Sky voice sounds a lot like Johansson
On May 19, OpenAI introduced five new voice capabilities for ChatGPT: Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky. According to the company, these voices were "sampled from voice actors we partnered with to create them." However, Sky notably resembled Johansson's voice.
Unexpected similarity
Johansson shocked by OpenAI's voice assistant resemblance
Johansson was surprised when OpenAI showcased an updated AI model featuring a voice eerily similar to hers. The actor stated, "My friends, family, and the general public all noted how much the newest system named 'Sky' sounded like me." Just two days before revealing its latest large language model, GPT-4o, Altman contacted Johansson's agent asking her to reconsider her decision. However, the company proceeded with the launch before she had a chance to respond.
Legal action
Johansson seeks legal counsel amid voice mimicry allegations
In response to the perceived voice mimicry, Johansson has hired legal counsel and sent two letters to OpenAI seeking an explanation on how they created Sky's voice. Expressing her concern over deepfakes and identity protection, she stated, "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." The actor is awaiting a detailed response from OpenAI.
Company response
OpenAI denies deliberate imitation of Johansson's voice
OpenAI has responded to Johansson's accusations by removing Sky's voice from ChatGPT and denying any intentional imitation of her voice. The company stated, "We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice— Sky's voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actor using her own natural speaking voice." Despite this claim, Altman had previously expressed admiration for Johansson's work in Her, a film where she voices an AI assistant.
Upcoming developments
OpenAI's future plans amid ongoing controversy
Despite the ongoing controversy, OpenAI has not disclosed whether it has received any legal notices regarding its assistant's similarities with Johansson or her role in Her. The company plans to introduce additional voices for ChatGPT in the future. However, due to privacy concerns, it has declined to share any details about the actors involved. This decision comes as part of their commitment to respect individual privacy and avoid further controversies.