The tech giant has halted access to its OpenAI Sky voice option following user feedback that it sounded remarkably similar to actress Scarlett Johansson.
The announcement came just days after a public demonstration of the new GPT-4o model, where OpenAI Sky voice was showcased, alongside a statement from Johansson herself.
Johansson herself weighed in on the situation, revealing that she had previously rejected an offer to be the voice of the system. She has engaged legal counsel to investigate how OpenAI developed the Sky voice.
Did OpenAI Sky voice copy Scarlett Johansson’s voice?
The controversy began last week when a demo showcasing the new GPT-4o model was released. The video featured the OpenAI Sky voice, which many users found strikingly similar to Scarlett Johansson’s. Some comments criticized the voice for its flirtatious tone, while others felt it catered to a specific audience.
Notably, the seductive quality mirrored Johansson’s role in the 2013 film “Her,” where she voiced a captivating virtual assistant.
While OpenAI avoided direct comparisons, CEO Sam Altman fueled speculation by tweeting “Her” after the company’s event, seemingly referencing the film.
her
— Sam Altman (@sama) May 13, 2024
Following the controversy, OpenAI removed the Sky voice from the web version of ChatGPT. Currently, the mobile app still offers the option. However, users can still experience the other five available voices on both platforms.
They are as follows:
- Cove
- Ember
- Juniper
- Breeze
Scarlett Johansson clarifies the cause of action
In a statement released on Monday, Johansson revealed that OpenAI had approached her in September 2023 about providing the voice for ChatGPT 4.0. She declined the offer for personal reasons. However, upon release of the Sky voice demonstration, Johansson expressed shock and frustration at the voice’s similarity to her own.
Johansson’s statement further revealed that OpenAI contacted her agent again just two days before the demo’s release, attempting to re-negotiate her involvement. However, the voice system was already launched, prompting her to seek legal counsel.
Johansson’s legal team sent letters to OpenAI outlining their concerns and requesting details on the process used to create the Sky voice. OpenAI subsequently agreed to discontinue the voice.
Johansson’s statement emphasizes the growing concern surrounding deepfakes and the protection of personal identity in the digital age. She calls for transparency from companies like OpenAI and advocates for legislation to safeguard individual rights.
Featured image credit: grmarc/Freepik
