Scarlett Johansson has engaged legal counsel following a dispute with OpenAI over the creation of a voice for ChatGPT that she claims closely resembles hers. Johansson alleges that despite declining an initial offer from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to voice the AI, the company proceeded with a voice similar to hers, named Sky.
OpenAI has since halted the use of Sky’s voice amid the controversy, stating that the resemblance was unintended and acknowledging the need for better communication.
Altman even made another effort to recruit Johansson, she said. “Two days before the ChatGPT 4.0 demo was released, Mr. Altman contacted my agent, asking me to reconsider,” she wrote. “Before we could connect, the system was out there.”
Johansson expressed her dismay and surprise at Sky’s similarity to her own. This was revealed after a recent update made the AI’s voice more expressive. OpenAI clarified that another voice actor, whose identity remains undisclosed for privacy reasons, used their natural voice for Sky.
In response to Johansson’s concerns, OpenAI announced that it has temporarily withdrawn Sky’s voice from its products and is reviewing the voice selection process for its AI systems. He denied that the voice was Johansson’s. “The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers.”
Johansson is currently seeking a detailed explanation from OpenAI about the methods used to create Sky’s voice, emphasizing her desire for transparency in the process.
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