– OpenAI removed GPT-4o’s “Sky” voice after Scarlett Johansson claimed it sounded like her voice intentionally
– GPT-4o wowed with natural-sounding voices during a demo of Voice Mode
– OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argues that resemblance to Johansson’s voice is purely coincidental and apologizes for lack of communication
OpenAI recently removed the voice of GPT-4o’s “Sky” after actress Scarlett Johansson accused the company of intentionally copying her voice, which sounded uncannily similar to hers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argued that any resemblance was purely coincidental, but Johansson disagreed and sought further details through legal proceedings.
Johansson claimed that nine months after declining an offer to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system, her friends, family, and the public noticed how much the new system’s voice, Sky, sounded like her. Altman’s single-word post “her” on social media referencing the movie “Her,” in which Johansson plays a virtual assistant, did not help his argument. Despite this, Altman maintained that the voices for GPT-4o were selected from 400 submissions and any similarities to other voices were unintentional.
In response to the controversy, OpenAI has paused using Sky’s voice in its products as a gesture of respect towards Johansson. The company expressed regret over the lack of communication with Johansson and clarified that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any outreach to her. When GPT-4o’s Voice Mode is eventually released, it will feature a voice that is less similar to Johansson’s.
Overall, the dispute highlights the complex process of developing AI voices and the legal and ethical considerations that come with incorporating voices resembling well-known individuals. Johansson’s accusations and OpenAI’s response underscore the importance of transparency and communication in AI development to avoid such controversies in the future.