OpenAI has announced that it will be discontinuing the use of one of its ChatGPT voices after concerns were raised by actress Scarlett Johansson. The company stated that it is working to suspend the voice known as Sky, which is one of the five voices users can choose to interact with the chatbot. This decision came after Johansson pointed out that the voice sounded too similar to hers, causing discomfort for both her and others.
Johansson, who is known for her role as a voice of an artificial intelligence assistant in the film “Her,” revealed that OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, had approached her last September to ask if she could lend her voice to their system. She declined the offer, but was surprised to hear the released demo of Sky’s voice, which she found eerily similar to her own. This led Johansson to express shock, anger, and disbelief at the resemblance, prompting her to request the removal of the voice from OpenAI’s chatbot.
In response to the concerns raised by Johansson and others, OpenAI explained that they had chosen Sky’s voice before contacting Johansson and that it was not their intention to replicate her voice. The company stated that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s voice and assured that Sky belongs to another professional actress who they could not disclose due to privacy reasons. Altman apologized to Johansson for the lack of communication and confirmed that Sky’s voice would no longer be used in their products.
Overall, OpenAI’s decision to discontinue the use of Sky’s voice in ChatGPT reflects their commitment to addressing user concerns and ensuring that their technology aligns with ethical standards in voice selection. By offering a range of distinctive voices for users to interact with, the company aims to provide a more inclusive and diverse experience for all users.