OpenAI, the company behind the wildly popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has announced the suspension of one of its voice models, known as Sky, amidst allegations that it bears an uncanny resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s voice performance in the 2013 film “Her.” The move comes just days after OpenAI unveiled its new GPT-4o model, which allows users to engage in realistic conversations with ChatGPT using various voice options, including Sky.
The controversy erupted when users noticed striking similarities between Sky’s voice and Johansson’s portrayal of Samantha, an advanced operating system with whom a man falls in love in the Spike Jonze-directed film. Accusations of potential voice mimicry or unauthorized use of the actress’s likeness quickly gained traction online, prompting OpenAI to address the situation.
We’ve heard questions about how we chose the voices in ChatGPT, especially Sky. We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them.
Read more about how we chose these voices: https://t.co/R8wwZjU36L
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 20, 2024
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that it is “working to pause the use of Sky” while the issue is investigated and addressed. The company emphasized its commitment to protecting the privacy of its voice talents and clarified that Sky’s voice “belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.”
OpenAI further stated, “We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson.” The company also highlighted its collaboration with the voice acting industry and its efforts to ensure fair compensation and ethical practices in the creation of its AI voices.
Say hello to GPT-4o, our new flagship model which can reason across audio, vision, and text in real time: https://t.co/MYHZB79UqN
Text and image input rolling out today in API and ChatGPT with voice and video in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/uuthKZyzYx
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 13, 2024
The suspension of Sky’s voice model comes at a pivotal time for OpenAI, as the company has been actively promoting its new GPT-4o model and its potential to redefine human-AI interactions. CEO Sam Altman’s recent references to “Her” and the movie’s exploration of AI-human relationships have only fueled speculation about potential connections between Sky and Johansson’s performance.
As the debate surrounding AI ethics and the responsible development of these technologies continues to intensify, OpenAI’s decision to pause Sky’s use demonstrates a willingness to address concerns and maintain transparency. However, the incident also underscores the challenges of navigating the complex terrain of AI-generated content, intellectual property rights, and the potential for unintended mimicry or infringement.
her
— Sam Altman (@sama) May 13, 2024
Moving forward, OpenAI will likely face scrutiny over its voice model selection processes and the measures it takes to ensure that its AI voices are truly original and distinct from existing performances or celebrity likenesses. As AI technology continues to advance, striking the right balance between innovation and ethical considerations will remain a critical challenge for companies operating in this rapidly evolving field.