OpenAI sought a voice similar to Scarlett Johansson’s after she declined being the voice of ChatGPT

The actress Scarlett Johansson declined an offer from OpenAI to voice the ‘chatbot’ ChatGPT, but has accused the company of using a voice similar to hers without her approval. OpenAI integrated support for voice chat in ChatGPT in September 2023, allowing users to choose between five voices, including ‘Sky’. OpenAI had approached Johansson to use her voice in the chatbot, but she declined the offer for personal reasons.

After rejecting the offer, Johansson was surprised to hear a voice in the new GPT-4o model that sounded eerily similar to hers. Despite rejecting the offer, OpenAI had used a voice similar to Johansson’s, causing confusion among users and the media. Johansson’s legal team requested that OpenAI provide details on how they created the ‘Sky’ voice in ChatGPT.

OpenAI halted the use of the ‘Sky’ voice in ChatGPT and denied imitating Johansson’s voice, stating that it belonged to a different professional actress. Johansson emphasized the importance of protecting individual rights and promoting transparency in the technology industry. She called for appropriate legislation to safeguard users’ identities and work, especially in the face of emerging technologies like ‘deepfakes’.

In conclusion, Johansson’s experience with OpenAI serves as a reminder of the importance of privacy and consent in the rapidly evolving world of AI and technology. It highlights the need for clear guidelines and legal protections to ensure the rights of individuals in the digital age.