In a revealing turn of events, internal documents from OpenAI indicate that the tech giant did not deliberately replicate Scarlett Johansson’s voice for its ChatGPT “Sky” avatar, addressing the concerns raised by the acclaimed actress.
Scarlett Johansson’s concerns
Scarlett Johansson expressed apprehension over OpenAI allegedly using her voice for the ChatGPT “Sky” avatar. However, documents obtained by The Washington Post demonstrate that OpenAI did not intentionally aim to mimic Johansson’s voice.
Selection Process for Sky’s Voice
Casting decisions
According to the disclosed documents, the voice of ChatGPT’s Sky was provided by a different actress, hired months before OpenAI CEO Sam Altman approached Johansson about contributing her voice to ChatGPT.
Voice casting criteria
The casting call outlined specific criteria for the voice actor, seeking a non-union performer aged 25 to 45 with a “warm, engaging, and charismatic” voice. There was no mention of Johansson or her role in the movie “Her,” where she famously voiced an AI character.
Confirmation from insiders
Multiple interviews with individuals involved in the voice selection process confirmed that OpenAI did not intentionally seek a voice resembling Johansson’s. The actress who voiced Sky was chosen through a comprehensive casting session, considering various factors.
Agent’s statement
The agent representing the actress who voiced ChatGPT’s Sky corroborated to The Washington Post that neither Scarlett Johansson nor the film “Her” were referenced by OpenAI during the hiring process. This further substantiates OpenAI’s stance that any similarity to Johansson’s voice was purely coincidental.
Legal implications
Potential grounds for a lawsuit
Despite these clarifications, legal experts suggest Johansson might still have grounds for legal action against OpenAI. The resemblance of the Sky voice to Johansson’s and the timing of Altman’s approach to her, just days before the voice’s release, could strengthen her case. Altman’s public reference to the voice as ‘Her’ adds complexity, implying potential inspiration from Johansson’s AI character in the movie.
Precedents and state laws
Christian Mammen, a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, highlighted relevant legal precedents, such as cases involving Bette Midler and Tom Waits, where their voices were used in advertisements without permission. The outcome of any litigation would also depend on the state’s specific right-to-publicity laws. In California, where OpenAI is based, there are no explicit laws against creating digital or AI voice replicas, but consent is required for commercial use of a person’s voice.
Current status
As of now, Scarlett Johansson has not initiated any legal action against OpenAI. The situation remains under scrutiny, with industry observers keenly watching for any developments.
