Janice R. Andrews
Within the constantly changing field of artificial intelligence, OpenAI has once again been a subject of contention. This time, the problem is that one of ChatGPT’s voices sounds remarkably similar to that of well-known actress Scarlett Johansson. The voice in question, dubbed “Sky,” was released in September 2023 and has since attracted a lot of notice because to its uncanny resemblance to Johansson’s role in the 2013 movie Her. The corporation has maintained that the likeness is entirely accidental, but the controversy has generated a lot of conversation.
The Coincidental Similarity
Tech aficionados and laypeople alike were eager to point out that one of the new voices resembled Scarlett Johansson when OpenAI demonstrated GPT-4o’s improved speech capabilities. Sky, the voice, instantly brought to mind Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Samantha in Her, a charming, flirtatious AI assistant. On the other hand, OpenAI insists that any resemblance is accidental.
In a blog entry, OpenAI stated, “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice — Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.” The organization underlined that, in order to preserve the privacy of these performers, it is unable to reveal the identity of its voice actors; however, it did mention that the fees these actors receive are “above top-of-market.”
The Choice to Put Sky on Hold
OpenAI has chosen to temporarily stop using Sky’s voice in reaction to the criticism while it takes the issues brought up to consideration. The business declared, “We are working to pause the use of Sky,” meaning that they are assessing the circumstances and thinking about possible voice changes. This action is meant to guarantee that the AI does not violate or elicit any unintentional connections with actual people.
Soon after the improved Sky voice was presented, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman increased the mystery by tweeting the word “her” on X (previously Twitter). OpenAI maintains that Sky’s voice is not meant to be an imitation of Johansson, despite the rumors this caused.
The Influence and Legacy of Her
In contemporary film, one of the most recognizable depictions of a virtual assistant is Scarlett Johansson’s performance in Her. The movie was released in 2013, about ten years before the current wave of conversational AI technology. As a likable and captivating AI, Samantha was portrayed by Johansson, who established a high bar and became a cultural icon for how virtual assistants should speak and communicate.
It is not unexpected that modern AI voices may be compared to Johansson’s representation, considering this heritage. Her kind and personable voice has established a standard for programmers trying to make AI assistants that are engaging and accessible. This implies, therefore, that creators have to exercise caution in order to prevent any appearance of unapproved copying.
Legal and Moral Issues to Be Considered
The Sky case brings to light more general ethical and legal issues facing the AI sector, especially those involving the use of voices and likenesses. In the past, Johansson has filed a lawsuit against a developer who she claims misappropriated her voice and likeness in an AI-generated commercial. This precedent emphasizes how crucial it is to walk carefully on the boundary between innovation and infringement.
OpenAI has shown that it is committed to ethical standards and respecting people’s privacy by taking proactive measures to remedy the issue. The business wants to make sure that its AI products don’t unintentionally imitate actual people without permission, which is why it pauses Sky usage and reviews the voice.
Sky’s Future Plans?
It’s still unknown, for the time being, exactly what adjustments OpenAI intends to make before perhaps restoring Sky’s voice. A thorough schedule for this procedure has not been supplied by the business. OpenAI has been contacted by Engadget and other tech news sites for further information and updates on the matter.
The halt on Sky in the meantime serves as a reminder of the difficulties in creating AI systems that communicate with people. The problem of producing AI that is both interesting and lifelike while still respecting human identity is one that will continue to affect the industry.
The debate around ChatGPT’s Sky voice is one of the ethical conundrums that arise with AI’s quick development. The problem is being worked on by OpenAI, which emphasizes the need of transparency and deliberate thought in the creation of AI voices. Though unintended, the likeness to Scarlett Johansson’s legendary portrayal in Her underscores the important impact that cultural touchstones have on technical advancement. The AI sector must continue to push the limits of these technologies while also safeguarding individual rights as the technology develops.
