Scarlett Johansson ‘shocked and angered’ by alleged unauthorized recreation of her voice by OpenAI

Scarlett Johansson, the famous Hollywood actress, has made headlines by taking ChatGPT to court.

Actress Scarlett Johansson has been involved in a heated controversy with Open AI, the renowned artificial intelligence research laboratory.

The dispute centers around the use of voice technology that resembles Scarlett Johansson acclaimed portrayal of an AI assistant in the 2013 film “Her.” She publicly expressed her shock and anger, saying, “I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference.”

The saga began in September 2023 when OpenAI approached Scarlett Johansson with a proposal to license her distinctive voice for their AI products.

However, the renowned actress declined the offer, opting not to associate herself with the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence. Fast forward to May 13, 2024, when OpenAI launched GPT- 4.0, a highly anticipated update to their language model. This update included an improved voice mode that featured a voice known as “Sky.” The launch’s timing caught many’s attention, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a tweet referencing the film “Her,” in which Scarlett Johansson voice played a pivotal role.

Johansson stated, “Because of their actions, I was forced to hire legal counsel, who wrote two letters to Mr Altman and OpenAI, describing what they had done and asking them to detail the exact process by which they created the ‘Sky’ voice.”

Hearing Sky’s voice, Scarlett Johansson was taken aback by its uncanny similarity. The actress expressed shock and anger, believing that the resemblance was not a coincidence but a deliberate attempt to mimic her iconic portrayal in “Her.”

Seeking answers, Johansson promptly sought legal counsel and sent two letters to OpenAI, demanding an explanation for how Sky’s voice was developed and the reasons behind its striking similarity to hers. This controversy has reignited discussions surrounding the ethical implications of AI technology and the boundaries of intellectual property. 

Altman reiterated, “The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers. We cast the voice actor behind Sky’s voice before any outreach to Ms Johansson.”

Further, Altman stated, “Out of respect for Ms Johansson, we have paused using Sky’s voice in our products. We are sorry to Ms Johansson that we didn’t communicate better.”

As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether this clash between a Hollywood star and a leading AI research institution will significantly change how voice technology is created and utilized. She highlighted, “In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our likeness, our work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity.” One thing is for sure: the controversy has thrust the intersection of entertainment and artificial intelligence into the spotlight, sparking meaningful conversations about the limits and responsibilities of technology in our rapidly evolving world.

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