A controversy has erupted between actor Scarlett Johansson and artificial intelligence research company OpenAI. Johansson alleges that OpenAI used a voice in their AI assistant, “Sky,” that mimicked hers without her permission.
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The conflict began in September 2023 when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly approached Johansson to voice their ChatGPT 4.0 system. While she declined, the recent unveiling of GPT-4.0’s “Sky” voice sparked outrage from Johansson. Friends, family, and even media outlets pointed out the uncanny resemblance to Johansson’s voice.
Further inflaming the situation, Johansson claims Altman contacted her agent just before the demo, urging her to reconsider. However, the system launched before she could respond. OpenAI denies any wrongdoing. Their spokesperson insists they “cast the voice actor behind Sky’s voice before any outreach to Ms. Johansson.” They’ve paused using “Sky” and claim to pay voice actors well above market rates.
Johansson sees this as a deeper issue. With the rise of deepfakes, she argues for clear regulations protecting individuals’ likeness and identity. Her legal team has contacted OpenAI seeking answers.
This incident raises ethical questions about using celebrity-like voices in AI assistants. OpenAI’s decision to pause “Sky” suggests a potential turning point. Johansson’s stance highlights the need for transparency and legal frameworks to safeguard individual rights in the age of AI.
