Scarlett Johansson says that OpenAI approached her to use her voice
TechCrunchMay 25
OpenAI Pulls Scarlett Johansson-like Voice from ChatGPT
Above: (L-R) Wes Anderson, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Park attend the "Asteroid City" press conference at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Image copyright: Kristy Sparow/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
A week after launching GPT-4o, the latest iteration of ChatGPT, creators OpenAI have pulled a voice used in the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool that many claimed sounded like Scarlett Johansson.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared to acknowledge the similarities, simply posting "her" on X (formerly Twitter) on May 13. Her is a 2013 movie in which Johansson voiced an AI virtual assistant.
The Spin
Narrative A
At a time when actors, entertainers, and content creators are worried about AI using their likeness without permission, it was wrong for OpenAI to utilize a voice that so closely resembles Johansson's. She's right to be upset and angered by this decision.
Narrative B
The Sky voice option in GPT-4o wasn't based on Johansson. It was the voice of an actor selected after a vigorous five-month process. The company values the voice acting industry, which is why ChatGPT's AI voices will never deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice.