OpenAI Faces Backlash for Using Scarlett Johansson’s Voice Without Permission
Days before OpenAI demonstrated its new voice assistant, the actress Scarlett Johansson revealed that the company’s chief executive, Sam Altman, had reached out to her agent to license her voice for a virtual assistant. This was the second time Altman had made such a request in the past year, but Johansson had declined both times.
Despite her refusals, OpenAI went ahead and used a voice that Johansson described as “eerily similar to mine.” In response, the actress has hired a lawyer and demanded that the company stop using the voice, which they had named “Sky.”
OpenAI has since suspended the release of “Sky” and clarified in a blog post that the voice was not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belonged to a different actress using her own natural speaking voice. The company emphasized that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice.
This incident has sparked criticism from Johansson and others who have accused OpenAI of using creative work without permission. The actress is the latest high-profile individual to speak out against the company, joining a list of authors, actors, and newspapers who have taken legal action against OpenAI for copyright violations.
As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how OpenAI will address the backlash and whether they will make amends for their use of unauthorized voices. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
