Scarlett Johansson recently voiced her outrage after discovering OpenAI had utilized a voice closely resembling hers for its new chatbot system. Johansson was shocked and angered to find out the company had proceeded with the Sky voice—exclusive to the GPT-4o chatbot—despite her prior rejection of their offer to lend her voice.
According to statements provided to Variety, Johansson indicated she was contacted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appealing for her collaboration back in September 2023, but declined the offer due to personal reasons. ‘When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief,’ she recounted. ‘It sounded so eerily similar to mine.’ Interest from the public and her close acquaintances only amplified her concerns, as many couldn't distinguish between her actual voice and the new Sky voice.
Altman, during discussions with Johansson, reportedly suggested her voice could bridge the growing gap between technology and creativity, easing consumer concerns surrounding AI advancements. Yet, when the new voice was unveiled, it was distinctively reminiscent of her role as Samantha, the AI companion she portrayed in Spike Jonze’s 2013 film, Her. Johansson's frustration intensified as she noted Altman's subsequent tweet—referencing the word ‘her’—which she perceived as indicating the similarity was intentional.
Natural fears arose as Johansson realized two days before the Sky voice was showcased, Altman reached out to her agent to urge her to reconsider her initial refusal. Unfortunately, by the time they attempted to reconnect, the voice system had already been launched.
Feeling compelled to act, Johansson sought legal counsel, leading to her lawyers sending two letters to OpenAI demanding the cessation of the Sky voice's usage and clarification on its development process. The mounting pressure resulted in OpenAI agreeing to pause the voice and reconsider its use.
OpenAI responded with their own statement, asserting, ‘The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers.’ Altman emphasized the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any outreach was made to Johansson. They acknowledged their need for improved communication but maintained their claim of innocence concerning the resemblance.
The Hollywood actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, has publicly supported Johansson, reaffirming her concerns about unauthorized use of artists' voices. A statement released on behalf of the union said: ‘We thank Ms. Johansson for speaking out on this issue of crucical importance’ and echoed her call for legislative action to protect artistic identities.
SAG-AFTRA members are some of the most recognizable talents globally, leading the organization to champion federal legislation aimed at safeguarding the voices and likenesses of all creatives—from unauthorized digital replication. ‘We are pleased OpenAI has reacted by pausing their use of the Sky voice,’ the union spokesperson added, expressing eagerness to collaborate with both the company and industry stakeholders to establish stronger protections moving forward.
The public's reaction has added fuel to the conversation around safeguarding individual identities, especially as deepfake technologies grow increasingly prevalent. Johansson has emphasized, ‘I look forward to resolution...’ expressing the need for clear guidelines and protections ensuring individuals retain control over their likenesses and work.
Adding humor to the heated debate, the recent season finale of “Saturday Night Live” featured Colin Jost, Johansson's husband, joking about the ChatGPT voice, which he humorously noted he would not listen to without its appealing visual counterpart. Yet, beneath the jokes and light-hearted riffs lies the significant issue of representation and respect for creative work.
The incident serves as both a setback and pivotal moment for discussions around digital identity and AI. It raises compelling questions about ownership and the responsibilities of AI companies. Johansson and her counterparts await meaningful change, both to protect individual rights and promote transparency for artists.
