Current:Home > ContactScarlett Johansson Slams OpenAI for Using “Eerily Similar” Voice on ChatGPT’s Sky System -Prime Capital Blueprint
Scarlett Johansson Slams OpenAI for Using “Eerily Similar” Voice on ChatGPT’s Sky System
View
Date:2025-04-15 09:02:59
Scarlett Johansson does not want to be Her.
The Black Widow star called out OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for allegedly using a voice in its artificial intelligence software that she believes sounds like her own without her consent, she said in a statement her rep issued to NBC News May 20. According to Johansson, the businessman sent her an offer in September to hire to her as the voice of the ChatGPT 4.0 system, but she turned it down.
"He said he felt that my voice would be comforting to people," she said. "After much consideration and for personal reasons, declined the offer."
However, Johansson accused the company going ahead with it by using a voice that "sounded like me" without her consent on their new system called "Sky," even saying that her "friends, family and the general public all noted" similarities.
"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," the 39-year-old continued. "Mr. Altman even insinuated that the similarity was intentional, tweeting a single word 'her'—a reference to the film in which I voiced a chat system, Samantha, who forms an intimate relationship with a human." (Altman tweeted the word on May 13.)
In her statement, Johansson further alleged that Altman had contacted her agent four days before the demo dropped, asking her to "reconsider" the offer.
"Before we could connect, the system was out there," she shared. "As a result of their actions, I was forced to hire legal counsel."
Johansson's lawyers wrote two letters to Altman and OpenAl, according to the Oscar nominee, who added that the company "reluctantly agreed" to take down the "Sky" voice.
"In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our own likeness, our own work, our own identities," she concluded, "I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity. I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected."
OpenAI addressed concerns over the "Sky" voice on May 19, tweeting, "We've heard questions about how we chose the voices in ChatGPT, especially Sky. We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them."
The organization also denied that the audio intentionally replicated Johansson's voice.
"We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice," read their May 19 statement. "Sky's voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents."
E! News has reached out to Altman, ChatGPT and OpenAI for comment on the actress' statement but has not heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (321)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Military veteran charged with attempting to make ricin to remain jailed
- A New Federal Tool Could Help Cities Prepare for Scorching Summer Heat
- How Taylor Swift Is Showing Support for Travis Kelce's New Teammate Xavier Worthy
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Los Angeles Rams 'fired up' after ending first-round pick drought with Jared Verse
- Athletes tied to Iowa gambling sting seek damages in civil lawsuit against state and investigators
- Tornado tears through Nebraska, causing severe damage in Omaha suburbs
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Why Céline Dion Had Egg-Sized Injury on Her Face After Wedding Day
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- 10-Year-Old Boy Calls 911 to Report Quadruple Murder-Suicide of His Entire Family
- You’ll Be Crazy in Love With the Gifts Beyoncé Sent to 2-Year-Old After Viral TikTok
- Will Messi play at Gillette Stadium? New England hosts Inter Miami: Here’s the latest
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Solar panel plant coming to eastern North Carolina with 900 jobs
- Caleb Williams breaks Caitlin Clark's record for draft night merchandise sales
- Owner of exploding Michigan building arrested at airport while trying to leave US, authorities say
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Athletes tied to Iowa gambling sting seek damages in civil lawsuit against state and investigators
Miley Cyrus Looks Like Miley Stewart All Grown Up With Nostalgic Brunette Hair Transformation
Military veteran charged with attempting to make ricin to remain jailed
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
What to know about Bell’s palsy, the facial paralysis affecting Joel Embiid
He hoped to be the first Black astronaut in space, but never made it. Now 90, he's going.
Century-old time capsule found at Minnesota high school during demolition