Scarlett Johansson, the renowned actress known for her roles in blockbuster films such as “Avengers” and “Lost in Translation,” recently made a shocking statement regarding a controversial incident involving her voice being replicated for a new A.I. system.
In her statement on Monday, Johansson revealed that she had been approached by Sam Altman, who wanted to hire her to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system. Altman believed that Johansson’s voice could help bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives, making consumers feel more comfortable with the integration of humans and artificial intelligence. However, Johansson ultimately declined the offer for personal reasons.
Nine months later, Johansson was surprised to discover that the new system, named ‘Sky,’ sounded eerily similar to her own voice. Altman even hinted at the intentional similarity by tweeting the word ‘her,’ referencing Johansson’s role as the voice of an A.I. system in the film “Her.”
Feeling shocked, angered, and disbelieving, Johansson took legal action against Altman and OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT 4.0. Her legal counsel sent letters demanding an explanation for the creation of the ‘Sky’ voice, leading OpenAI to reluctantly take down the voice.
Johansson emphasized the importance of protecting individual rights in the face of deepfakes and the unauthorized use of likeness. She called for transparency and the implementation of legislation to safeguard against such infringements in the future.
The incident has sparked a debate on the ethical implications of using celebrity voices for A.I. systems without consent, raising questions about privacy, identity, and the boundaries of technology. Johansson’s statement serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and respect for individuals’ rights in the digital age.
