Scarlett Johansson Responds to ChatGPT's Sky, Refuses to Voice AI System

Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out About ChatGPTs Sky Declined Offer to Voice AI System

Scarlett Johansson Gotham/FilmMagic

Scarlett Johansson recently addressed the resemblance between OpenAI’s ChatGPT voice, known as “Sky,” and her own voice. She went as far as hiring a team of lawyers to look into the matter.

The 39-year-old actress shared in a statement to We on Monday, May 20, that she had turned down an offer to provide her voice for the artificial intelligence in 2023. Johansson explained that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had approached her in September with the proposal to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system. He believed that her voice could help bridge the gap between technology companies and creative individuals, making consumers more at ease with the significant advancements in human and AI interaction. Despite careful thought and personal reasons, she ultimately declined the offer.

She was surprised to find that OpenAI's Sky voice sounded very much like her own.

"Nine months later, my friends, family, and the general public all noticed how similar the newest system named 'Sky' sounded to me," Johansson shared. "When I listened to the demo, I was shocked, upset, and couldn't believe that Mr. Altman would choose a voice that sounded so much like mine. Even my closest friends and the media couldn't tell the difference. Mr. Altman hinted that the similarity was deliberate, by tweeting just one word 'her'—a nod to the film where I voiced a chat system named Samantha, who develops a close relationship with a human."

The 2013 movie Her, which costarred Joaquin Phoenix, won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and earned over $48 million worldwide.

Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out About ChatGPTs Sky Declined Offer to Voice AI System

Scarlett Johansson revealed that Altman reached out to her to voice Sky again right before it was made public. "Just two days before the ChatGPT 4.0 demo was launched, Mr. Altman got in touch with my agent, urging me to reconsider. Unfortunately, we couldn't catch up before the system was already out there," Johansson shared.

She explained that due to their actions, she had to hire legal counsel. The legal counsel then sent two letters to Mr. Altman and OpenAl, outlining their actions and requesting information on how they created the ‘Sky’ voice. Eventually, OpenAl agreed to remove the ‘Sky’ voice.

Johansson emphasized the importance of addressing issues surrounding deepfakes and protecting personal likenesses, work, and identities. She expressed the need for clear answers and transparency in such matters. Additionally, she called for the implementation of appropriate legislation to safeguard individual rights.

When OpenAI defeated Sky on Sunday, May 19, they released a blog post stating that Sky was portrayed by a real actress, not a computer-generated voice. The post emphasized that AI voices should not try to mimic a celebrity's distinct voice. In this case, Sky's voice does not imitate Scarlett Johansson but instead belongs to another professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. For privacy reasons, the names of the voice actors are not disclosed.

The resemblance between Sky's voice and Scarlett Johansson's voice sparked numerous discussions, even leading to jokes on Saturday Night Live. During their annual joke exchange, Michael Che had Colin Jost, who is married to Johansson, read a joke about the system on Weekend Update.

Jost, who is 41 years old, let out a groan when he spotted his wife's name on the teleprompter. "Oh, God," he muttered before carrying on. He learned about ChatGPT's latest voice assistant feature, which took inspiration from Scarlett Johansson's AI character in the movie Her. Jost admitted he never bothered to watch the film because, in his opinion, without Scarlett Johansson's physical presence, what was the appeal of just hearing her voice?

Feeling embarrassed, he quickly covered his face with his hands.

Jost and Johansson married in 2020 and welcomed son Cosmo one year later. (Johansson also shares daughter Rose with ex-husband Romain Dauriac.)

Editor's P/S:

Scarlett Johansson's recent experience with OpenAI's Sky voice highlights the growing concerns surrounding deepfakes and the protection of personal identities. OpenAI's decision to create a voice that closely resembles Johansson's without her consent raises ethical questions about the unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses. The actress's legal response emphasizes the need for clear regulations and transparency in this emerging field.

Johansson's case also sheds light on the potential benefits and risks of AI-generated voices. While AI can offer new possibilities for creativity and communication, it's crucial to ensure that it's used responsibly and ethically. OpenAI's subsequent removal of the Sky voice suggests a willingness to listen to concerns and adapt their practices accordingly. As AI technology continues to advance, it's essential to engage in ongoing discussions and develop safeguards to protect individuals' rights and ensure responsible innovation.