Scarlett Johansson’s Dispute with OpenAI: The Voice of a Digital Dispute

In the realm of artificial intelligence, a startling controversy has emerged, pitting Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson against tech giant OpenAI. The dispute centers around the uncanny resemblance between the voice of OpenAI’s AI voice assistant Sky and Johansson’s voice in the 2013 film “Her.”

OpenAI and Sky’s Voice

In 2024, OpenAI unveiled Sky, a voice assistant touted for its advanced capabilities. However, the launch was met with an unexpected twist when observers noted a striking similarity between Sky’s voice and Johansson’s portrayal of the operating system Samantha in “Her.” The resemblance was so pronounced that it raised suspicions of unauthorized use.

Adding fuel to the fire was OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s admission that “Her” was his favorite movie. This revelation fueled speculation that Sky’s voice was intentionally modeled after Johansson’s performance.

Johansson’s Response

Johansson’s reaction to the discovery was one of anger and disbelief. She vehemently denied authorizing the use of her voice and declined an offer from Altman to voice ChatGPT 4.0, OpenAI’s next-generation language model.

Johansson’s family and friends also expressed concern, confirming that Sky’s voice bore an undeniable resemblance to hers. To investigate the matter further, she retained legal counsel.

OpenAI and Sky’s Voice

In 2024, OpenAI introduced Sky, an innovative voice assistant bearing an uncanny resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s iconic voice from the 2013 film “Her.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a self-professed admirer of the film, sparked speculation about the inspiration behind Sky’s voice.

Johansson’s Response

Johansson’s reaction was swift and emphatic. She vehemently denied any involvement in Sky’s creation and expressed outrage at the unauthorized use of her voice. Despite Altman’s offer to have her voice ChatGPT 4.0, she adamantly declined.

Johansson’s concerns were echoed by her family and friends, who also recognized the striking similarity between Sky’s voice and hers. Determined to uncover the truth, she sought legal representation to investigate the process behind Sky’s creation.

OpenAI’s Response

In response to Johansson’s complaint, OpenAI promptly removed Sky’s voice. Altman issued a statement denying any intentional attempt to replicate Johansson’s voice and apologized for the lack of transparency surrounding Sky’s development.

Previous Incidents of Unauthorized Use

Johansson’s legal actions against OpenAI are not the first instances of unauthorized use of her image and voice. She previously took legal action against an AI image-generating app that used her likeness without her consent.

Proposed Legislation

The rise of AI technology has prompted calls for legislation to protect individuals’ rights to control their own image and voice. The proposed No Fakes Act aims to establish a federal right to control the use of one’s image and voice, including digital replicas, and provide protection for 70 years after death.

Conclusion

The dispute between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI highlights the complex ethical and legal challenges posed by AI technology. As AI capabilities continue to advance, it is essential to develop legal frameworks that protect individuals’ rights to control their own image and voice and prevent unauthorized use of their likeness.

The proposed No Fakes Act represents a step towards addressing these concerns and establishing a balance between innovation and the protection of individuals’ rights in the digital age.