Scarlett Johansson has recently made headlines by accusing OpenAI of using her voice without permission for their ChatGPT demo. In a statement relayed to WIRED, Johansson expressed her shock and disbelief upon hearing a new voice for ChatGPT that she claims sounds strikingly similar to her own. Johansson had previously declined an invitation from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to provide her voice for the AI, making the situation even more contentious.
“When I heard the release demo, I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” Johansson stated. This controversy was further fueled by Altman's tweet referencing Johansson's role in the movie "Her," which many interpreted as a nod to the new voice demo.
However, OpenAI has maintained that the voices used in their ChatGPT were created in collaboration with established voice actors, as reported by TechCrunch. They clarified that their voice chat feature was developed using their Whisper speech recognition system and did not involve Johansson. This discrepancy raises questions about the ethical boundaries of AI voice replication and the potential legal ramifications.
The debate underscores the broader implications of AI technology in replicating human voices and the need for clear ethical guidelines. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these concerns to prevent misuse and protect individual rights. Whether Johansson's claims will lead to legal action remains to be seen, but the incident certainly highlights the growing tension between technological advancement and personal privacy.
