Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson expressed shock and anger over an AI chatbot launched by OpenAI, claiming its voice bore an uncanny resemblance to her own.
The controversy stems from OpenAI’s chatbot, called Sky, which utilizes a text-to-speech function. Johansson revealed she had previously rejected OpenAI’s request to record her voice for this purpose. However, upon Sky’s release, many noted the voice’s similarity to Johansson’s performance in the 2013 film “Her,” where she voiced Samantha, an intelligent operating system.
Johansson further alleged that OpenAI founder Sam Altman intentionally evoked this connection. She pointed to a tweet by Altman containing only the word “her,” which many interpreted as a reference to the film. OpenAI denied replicating Johansson’s voice, stating Sky’s voice belonged to a different professional actress. The company emphasized their stance against deliberately mimicking celebrity voices in AI technology.
This incident reignites debates surrounding identity theft in the digital age. The ability of AI to mimic voices with such accuracy raises concerns about potential misuse. Deepfakes, hyper-realistic AI-generated videos, have already become a source of controversy due to their ability to spread misinformation and create damaging portrayals of individuals.
Johansson’s experience highlights the need for clearer regulations and ethical considerations regarding the development and use of voice imitation technology. OpenAI’s decision to remove Sky’s current voice indicates a willingness to address these concerns. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of digital identity and the potential challenges it presents.