OpenAI is reportedly in discussions with Scarlett Johansson regarding a ChatGPT voice that bears a striking resemblance to hers.

The company is engaging with the actress's representatives to address concerns about the similarity between Johansson's voice and that of Sky, one of ChatGPT's personas.

Speaking with Scarlett Johannson

OpenAI has contacted Scarlett Johansson's representatives following the removal of a ChatGPT voice that closely resembled the actress. The company decided to withdraw Sky, one of ChatGPT's default voices after it drew attention for its striking similarity to Johansson's character in the film Her. 

As per The Verge, the company emphasized that the resemblance was unintended and is working to address the concerns raised. Joanne Jang, the model behavior lead at OpenAI, explained that the company has been in dialogue with Scarlett Johansson's representatives to address concerns and clear up any confusion.

As she's involved in selecting actors for ChatGPT's voice roles, Jang noted that the resemblance to Johansson's character might be due to the limited number of realistic female voice assistants. Unlike Siri and Alexa, which often sound mechanical, the voice in question was crafted to sound more natural and lifelike.

While ChatGPT has featured various voices since its inception last year, it was only recently that Sky's voice gained significant attention. This surge in popularity coincided with introducing more expressive voice capabilities through OpenAI's GPT-4o model.

According to Jang, users now have the ability to customize their chosen voice to reflect a particular personality. Whether peppy, measured, or even somber, ChatGPT users can tailor their interactions based on the personality that resonates most with them.

Jang underscores the significance of user comfort, highlighting that customization is pivotal in crafting a seamless user experience. She emphasizes the importance of offering a product that allows users to authentically express themselves without adopting a different persona.

Also read: OpenAI Unveils Her-Inspired Voice Assistant for ChatGPT with Real-Time Translation, Expression Recognition

In September, OpenAI initiated discussions with Johannson about providing her voice. However, Johannson declined the offer "after much consideration and for personal reasons" and expressed being "shocked" upon hearing the demo released.

The statement further indicates that Johannson felt compelled to seek legal representation and that OpenAI "reluctantly agreed" to alter the Sky voice. 

Amid widespread concerns surrounding deepfakes and safeguarding personal likeness, work, and identity, she stressed the importance of achieving clear answers to these pressing questions.

She expressed anticipation for a resolution characterized by transparency and enacting relevant legislation, emphasizing the necessity of protecting individual rights.

Removing Sky

After Sky gained widespread attention last week for its resemblance to Johansson's portrayal of an intelligent voice assistant in the movie Her, OpenAI decided to remove it. OpenAI's CTO, Mira Murati, clarified that the company had no intention of replicating Johansson's character. 

OpenAI supports the creative community and has collaborated closely with the voice acting industry to meticulously cast ChatGPT's voices. Each actor receives compensation above top-of-market rates, a practice that will be upheld for as long as their voices are utilized in our products.

Related Article: Scarlett Johansson Takes Legal Action Against Unauthorized AI Advertisement