OpenAI Forced to Modify Voice Selection for ChatGPT Due to Scarlett Johansson’s Intervention
The tech world was abuzz last week as OpenAI unveiled a new voice interface for their ChatGPT tool, bearing a striking resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s AI assistant character in the movie Her. However, the excitement was short-lived as OpenAI made a surprising decision to withdraw the voice following a demand from Scarlett Johansson’s legal team.
In a statement to WIRED, Scarlett Johansson revealed that OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, had approached her last year to provide the voice for ChatGPT, a request she declined. Much to her surprise, a voice eerily similar to hers was presented during the recent demonstration, prompting Johansson to take legal action to clarify the creation process.
Sam Altman’s tweet referencing the movie Her further fueled speculation about the connection between the new voice and Scarlett Johansson’s iconic performance. Despite OpenAI’s assertion that the voice belonged to a different actress, Johansson’s intervention led to the immediate suspension of the synthetic voice known as Sky.
The controversy surrounding the voice selection adds to OpenAI’s existing legal battles over the alleged improper use of copyrighted content in training their AI algorithms. Artists, writers, and creatives have raised concerns about the company’s practices, with lawsuits from prominent figures like George R.R. Martin and The New York Times.
As OpenAI navigates the fallout from this latest incident, the future of ChatGPT and its voice capabilities remains uncertain. The tech industry continues to grapple with ethical and legal challenges in the development of artificial intelligence, highlighting the complex relationship between technology and intellectual property rights.
