Scarlett Johansson Demands Transparency from ChatGPT Creators After Unauthorized AI Voice Imitation

Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out Against Unauthorized AI Voice Mimicking Her in ChatGPT Demo

Acclaimed actress Scarlett Johansson has expressed her shock and outrage over the "eerily" similar AI voice featured in the latest ChatGPT demo. The voice, dubbed "Sky," was meant to be the voice of the AI assistant, but Johansson claims it was an unauthorized imitation of her own distinctive vocal qualities.

Johansson, best known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, revealed that she had previously declined an offer from ChatGPT creator Sam Altman to officially lend her voice to the AI system. However, she was dismayed to discover that the released "Sky" voice sounded strikingly similar to her own.

"When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference," Johansson said in her statement.

The actress also noted that Altman had even referenced the 2013 film "Her," in which Johansson voiced an AI assistant named Samantha, suggesting an intentional connection between the two voices.

In response to Johansson's concerns, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, issued a statement denying that "Sky's voice is an imitation of Scarlett Johansson" and claiming it belongs to a "different professional actress." However, the company has agreed to take down the demo in light of the controversy.

Johansson's statement highlights the growing concerns around the protection of individual rights and identities in the age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. She expressed her belief that "these are questions that deserve absolute clarity" and that appropriate legislation is needed to safeguard the rights of individuals whose likenesses and voices may be exploited without their consent.

As the AI industry continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, this incident serves as a cautionary tale and a call for greater transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of these technologies.