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Scarlett Johansson Accuses OpenAI of Mimicking Her Voice for ChatGPT

By  |  May 21, 2024

In a recent controversy that has stirred debate about the boundaries of artificial intelligence and celebrity rights, actress Scarlett Johansson accused OpenAI of replicating her voice for their ChatGPT system. Johansson’s accusations emerged after OpenAI announced the removal of a voice dubbed ‘Sky’ from its AI platform, following claims that it resembled the actress’s voice.

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    Johansson’s allegations surfaced in a statement issued shortly after OpenAI’s decision to take down the voice. The actress asserted that the voice of ‘Sky’ bore an unsettling resemblance to her own, describing it as “eerily similar.” She contended that the likeness was particularly striking given her prior refusal to lend her voice to the chatbot.

    Read more: OpenAI’s Altman Calls For Global AI Coordination

    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman swiftly responded to Johansson’s claims, insisting that ‘Sky’s’ voice was not an imitation of the actress’s. Altman clarified that the voice belonged to a different professional actress and was cast before any engagement with Johansson. “The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers,” Altman stated in an email to Reuters.

    Expressing regret over the misunderstanding, Altman conveyed OpenAI’s decision to halt the use of ‘Sky’s’ voice out of respect for Johansson. He admitted fault in the communication process, acknowledging the company’s failure to adequately convey its intentions to the actress.

    Source: Reuters