OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, has announced a temporary halt in the use of one of its popular AI voices due to user feedback noting its close resemblance to actress Scarlett Johansson’s voice.
In 2023, OpenAI introduced the “voice mode” feature, allowing users to interact with ChatGPT through speech, doubling as a text-to-speech tool offering responses in five different voice options.
Although OpenAI clarified that the voice, named Sky, is not Scarlett Johansson’s, the company decided to pause its usage to address user concerns regarding voice selection and sampling processes.
“We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them,” the company stated on X (formerly Twitter).
In a recent blog post, OpenAI outlined its voice creation process, reiterating that the Sky voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson’s, but rather belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice.
Scarlett Johansson revealed that OpenAI had previously approached her to use her voice for their AI, but she declined due to personal reasons. However, she later discovered that the “Sky” voice in ChatGPT 4.0 bore a resemblance to her own voice.
This revelation prompted her to take legal action, advocating for transparency and the protection of individual rights and likeness. This development has sparked speculation about whether the voice’s suspension was influenced by the lawsuit.
