OpenAI Pauses AI Voice Amid Scarlett Johansson Sound-Alike Concerns
21.05.2024: OpenAI recently paused a voice used by its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, after concerns that it sounded too similar to Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. The announcement came from a blog post by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stating that the voice, named Sky, is being temporarily halted.
Why OpenAI Paused the Sky Voice
Reports from users indicated that Sky’s voice closely resembled Scarlett Johansson’s. OpenAI clarified that while the voice was never intended to imitate Johansson, it did come from a professional actress who used her own natural speaking voice.
“We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice,” OpenAI stated. “Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”
Scarlett Johansson’s Reaction
Scarlett Johansson herself addressed the situation, revealing that OpenAI had approached her in September with an offer to voice ChatGPT 4.0. She declined the offer after careful consideration but was surprised when she heard the demo of Sky.
“Last September, I received an offer from Sam Altman, who wanted to hire me to voice the current ChatGPT 4.0 system,” Johansson posted on X. “After much consideration and for personal reasons, I declined and was shocked when I heard the released demo.”
OpenAI’s Clarification
In response, Sam Altman reiterated that Sky’s voice was not Johansson’s and was never intended to sound like hers. OpenAI introduced voice capabilities in September 2023 to provide users with another way to interact with ChatGPT. The voices, including Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky, were developed in partnership with various voice actors.
Enhancing AI Conversational Abilities
OpenAI’s recent demonstration highlighted the enhanced conversational abilities of its AI, which have been well-received by users. The company continues to refine these features to ensure a positive user experience while addressing any concerns that arise.
Legal Matters
In related news, Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, claiming they violated original contractual agreements related to AI. The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco court, focuses on OpenAI’s latest natural language model, GPT-4.