Hollywood A-lister Scarlett Johansson is in disbelief after OpenAI released a chatbot, “Sky”, with a voice “uncannily resembling hers.” The actress said she previously rejected an offer to voice the AI, which reads responses aloud to users.
“Sky” debuted last week, prompting comparisons to Johansson's character in the 2013 film “Her.” OpenAI swiftly announced Sky's voice would be removed, claiming it was not intended to mimic the celebrity. However, Johansson suspects otherwise, reports BBC.
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She was “shocked” and “angered," Johansson told the BBC. Sam Altman [OpenAI's founder] seemed to acknowledge the similarity by referencing "Her" on social media.
Johansson revealed Altman approached her last September about voicing the chatbot. He felt her voice would “bridge the gap” between tech and creatives, easing consumer anxieties about AI. Johansson declined, the report said.
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Two days before Sky's launch, Altman reportedly contacted her agent again, urging her to reconsider. This move prompted Johansson to seek legal counsel and inquire about Sky's voice creation, added the report.
"These are questions that deserve absolute clarity," Johansson stated, referencing the growing concern over deepfakes and identity protection.
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Altman, in a statement, denied that the company had sought to imitate Johansson's voice.
"The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson's, and it was never intended to resemble hers," he wrote.
OpenAI is currently pausing Sky's voice and addressing concerns on their social media platform.