Scarlett Johansson, a renowned American actress, experienced surprise and irritation after discovering that a voice from the AI application ChatGPT bore an uncanny similarity to her own. The platform’s creators, OpenAI, decided to halt the use of the voice in question, which was referenced as “Sky,” following feedback highlighting its resemblance to Johansson’s.
The issue arose as users noticed the similarity between Johansson’s voice and the Sky voice option in the AI’s application, especially after a recent update aimed at making the ChatGPT chatbot more conversational. Johansson, who lent her voice to the AI interface in the 2013 film “Her,” was struck by the striking similarity of the new AI system’s voice to her own – so much so that even her close friends and the media could hardly distinguish between the two.
In a response to the unfolding issue, OpenAI publicly addressed the matter, indicating that they intended no imitation of Johansson’s distinctive voice and argued that the voice in question came from a different actress. They underscored the selection process for the AI voices as thorough, involving professional actors and industry consultants over a five-month period.
However, Johansson revealed that OpenAI’s CEO approached her previously with a proposal to use her voice for their system, suggesting it would ease discomfort among users interacting with AI. After personal considerations, she declined the offer. The resemblance of the Sky voice to hers, discovered months later, prompted Johansson to take legal action, after which OpenAI reluctantly withdrew the voice from use.
The company insisted that IA voices should not intentionally mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice, and claimed a commitment to protecting personal privacy, thus not revealing the actual voice artists. Meanwhile, OpenAI has introduced their latest AI model, GPT-4o, marking an advancement in conversational language capabilities.
Legal and Ethical Implications of AI Voice Mimicry
A key challenge surrounding the use of celebrity-like voices in AI applications revolves around legal and ethical concerns. While technology enables the replication of voices with high accuracy, the question arises: where is the line between inspiration and infringement? Scarlett Johansson’s case underscores the need for clearer guidelines and regulations concerning intellectual property rights in the age of AI.
Public Perception and Trust in AI Technology
Another controversial point is the impact this resemblance might have on the public’s trust in AI technology. The use of a voice that closely resembles that of a well-known figure without consent could lead to a loss of trust among users and could raise concerns over privacy and the potential for misuse, such as deepfake scams or misleading endorsements.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Celebrity-like Voices in AI
Using voices similar to those of celebrities could theoretically make AI systems more appealing and relatable to users, possibly increasing user engagement. However, potential disadvantages include the legal risks, ethical questions, and the possibility that the use of such voices without consent could tarnish the reputation of AI developers and limit the industry’s growth due to mistrust.
In the case of OpenAI, for further information on their guidelines and advancements like their AI models, you can visit their official website: OpenAI.