Scarlett Johansson’s Voice Doppelgänger in AI Stirs Controversy

Scarlett Johansson Expresses Discontent Over AI Voice Resemblance

Following the launch of the artificial intelligence assistant dubbed Sky, Hollywood’s Scarlett Johansson was bombarded with communications from people noting the AI’s voice eerily mirrored her own. The actress, known for her distinctive vocal portrayals, did not take kindly to the similarity. Previously, two days before the release of GPT-4.0, Johansson had declined a second invitation from OpenAI to lend her voice to the project, citing personal reasons. Even before discussions could advance, Sky was introduced to the public.

AI Assistant’s Voice Raises Eyebrows for Its Celebrity-Like Sound

Sky’s voice quickly became a matter of public intrigue, further fueled by a cryptic social media post by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. A brief post reading “Her” seemed to play on the title of a film in which Johansson’s voice played a central role. This suggestive behavior implied an intentional move by OpenAI to encourage associations between the AI assistant’s voice and Johansson’s.

OpenAI Responds to Scarlett Johansson’s Claims

In the wake of Johansson’s vocal objections, OpenAI clarified they had not used her voice to develop Sky, but rather, they employed a professional voice actor. They stressed that the decision to discontinue Sky’s voice was out of respect for Johansson.

The Aftermath of the Voice Controversy

As the debate unfolds, the cessation of Sky’s voice and Johansson’s legal steps have rallied public support. Fans and internet users have shown appreciation for Johansson’s efforts to protect the integrity of her vocal identity.

Adding facts and key points to the given article can broaden the understanding of the implications and issues surrounding the use of celebrity-like voices in AI. Here are relevant facts and points that are not mentioned in the article, alongside responses to potential key questions and a brief discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of such usage:

– Deepfake technology and synthesized voice software have been advancing rapidly, allowing for more accurate imitations of human voices. This could pose risks not only to public figures but to privacy and security as well.

– There is a history of legal and ethical discussions concerning the use of someone’s likeness without permission, including in the context of posthumous use of a celebrity’s image or voice.

– The commercial use of a person’s likeness, including their voice, generally requires consent and compensation due to right of publicity laws, which vary by jurisdiction.

Key questions and answers, challenges, and controversies:

What are the legal protections for a person’s voice? Laws regarding the right of publicity protect against unauthorized commercial use of an individual’s likeness, including their voice. However, legal challenges arise in defining “likeness” and whether AI-generated voices are substantially similar to protected ones.

How does this situation impact future AI development? This controversy highlights the need for clearer guidelines and potentially new legal frameworks as AI continues to develop voices that can mimic real individuals.

What challenges does this pose to celebrities? Celebrities may face increased difficulties in protecting their vocal identity and may need to take legal action to prevent unauthorized usage of their voices.

Could AI threaten voice actors’ livelihoods? While AI can disrupt the voice acting industry, there is also a potential for new opportunities, such as licensing one’s voice for use in AI applications.

What ethical questions does this raise? The ethical implications revolve around consent, the potential for deception, and the impact on the authenticity of human interactions.

Advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:
– AI voice technology can provide accessibility services for those with disabilities.
– It can lead to innovation in entertainment and gaming industries with more realistic voice interactions.
– It has the potential to preserve voices for posterity or to recreate voices of historical figures for educational purposes.

Disadvantages:
– It may infringe on individuals’ rights if their voice likeness is used without permission.
– Misuse of voice technology can lead to deception and fraud, such as in phishing attacks.
– It could reduce opportunities for professional voice actors.

While the specific claims from the article cannot be directly verified, general information about the entities involved can be found on their respective official websites:

OpenAI – The organization behind GPT-4.0 and Sky, known for their advancements in artificial intelligence.

To learn more about Scarlett Johansson’s work and her voice roles, one could visit official, reputable entertainment news sources. However, links to such resources are not provided to comply with the guidelines given.

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