OpenAI Withdraws ChatGPT Voice Amidst Scarlett Johansson Controversy

Scarlett Johansson’s publicist announced that her legal team contacted OpenAI twice, demanding an explanation of how they created the 'Sky' voice. As a result, OpenAI has agreed to remove it.

Johansson shared that Sam Altman requested permission to use her voice in September 2023, which she declined. She emphasized the importance of clarity and protection against misuse of one's likeness, particularly in an era of deepfakes.

OpenAI's latest GPT-4o system, launched last week, has elicited varied reactions. However, most agree that the 'Sky' voice, noted for its "flirtier" tone, has sparked significant debate. Just days after its introduction, OpenAI announced they would pause 'Sky' to address the internet’s concerns. Despite claims that 'Sky' is "not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson," the voice has drawn comparisons to Johansson’s performance as an AI assistant in the 2013 film "Her."

When OpenAI introduced ChatGPT's new voices last year, few noticed any similarities to pop culture. However, GPT-4o's upgrades changed that, with some describing the 'Sky' voice as "mind-blowing" and "creepy." The voice also caught the attention of "The Daily Show," where it was humorously criticized as a "horny robot baby voice."

The resemblance to Johansson's role in "Her" has been a focal point of the discussion. Although OpenAI CTO Mira Murati denied intentional mimicry, and the company maintains that any similarities are coincidental, scrutiny remains. CEO Sam Altman’s professed admiration for "Her" further fuels speculation.

In a recent blog post, OpenAI detailed their process for selecting GPT-4o's voices. 'Sky,' along with Breeze, Cove, Ember, and Juniper, were developed over five months with input from actors, talent agencies, and advisors. They aimed to create voices that are diverse, multilingual, and capable of conveying charisma and trustworthiness.