OpenAI Halts Use of ChatGPT Voice Similar to Scarlett Johansson’s

OpenAI to Halt Use of ChatGPT Voice Similar to Scarlett Johansson’s

In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI announced on Monday that it will be pausing the use of one of its ChatGPT voices, named Sky, after actress Scarlett Johansson raised concerns about its striking similarity to her own voice.

Johansson, known for her role as the voice of an AI assistant in the film “Her,” revealed that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had approached her to lend her voice to the system, but she declined the offer. However, when she heard the released demo of the Sky voice, she was shocked to find it eerily similar to her own.

After hiring lawyers to investigate the process by which OpenAI came up with the voice, Johansson was able to convince the company to take down the Sky voice. Altman clarified that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any outreach to Johansson and that it was never intended to resemble her voice.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been gaining popularity for its voice capabilities, allowing users to engage in conversations with the AI assistant. The latest update, GPT-4o, can mimic human cadences and detect people’s moods, making interactions more sophisticated.

While the new features have sparked comparisons to the film “Her,” some have raised concerns about the gendered ways in which tech companies develop voice assistants. Critics point to the inherent subservience built into default female-voiced assistants and the potential reinforcement of sexist stereotypes.

As OpenAI continues to innovate with its AI models, the company will need to address these concerns and ensure that its technology is inclusive and respectful of all voices.