Scarlett Johansson's Lawsuit Against OpenAI: When Reality Mirrors Fiction

In a twist that could be straight out of a science fiction movie, Scarlett Johansson, who famously voiced an AI assistant in the 2013 film "Her," is now suing OpenAI over the use of a voice in their ChatGPT that she claims sounds too much like her own. Here's everything you need to know about this intriguing intersection of Hollywood and AI technology.

The Incident
OpenAI recently introduced a new voice for ChatGPT, named "Sky," which quickly drew attention for its striking resemblance to Scarlett Johansson's voice. This led Johansson to hire legal counsel and investigate how this voice was developed, given that she had previously turned down an offer from OpenAI to use her voice for their chatbot [[❞]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/openai-remove-chatgpts-scarlett-johansson-150838187.html) [[❞]](https://the-decoder.com/openai-removes-ai-voice-that-supposedly-sounds-like-scarlett-johansson/).

 OpenAI’s Defense
OpenAI has clarified that the Sky voice is not an imitation of Johansson's voice but belongs to another professional actress. Due to privacy concerns, the name of the actress has not been disclosed. OpenAI emphasized that they do not intend to mimic celebrity voices deliberately and that their aim was to select a "warm, engaging, trustworthy, and charismatic" voice for their AI [[❞]](https://www.yahoo.com/tech/openai-remove-chatgpts-scarlett-johansson-150838187.html) [[❞]](https://www.joblo.com/openai-chatgpt-4o-scarlett-johansson/).

Connection to "Her"
The controversy is particularly resonant given Johansson's role in "Her," where she voiced the AI assistant Samantha. The film explores deep emotional connections between humans and AI, making the real-life situation where Johansson's voice is mimicked by an AI even more poignant. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman even tweeted "Her" following the event where the new voice was introduced, highlighting this connection [[❞]](https://the-decoder.com/openai-removes-ai-voice-that-supposedly-sounds-like-scarlett-johansson/).

 OpenAI’s Actions
Following the backlash, OpenAI has paused the use of the Sky voice to address the concerns raised. The company has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that its AI voices do not infringe on any individual's identity or likeness without proper consent. They are reviewing their processes and engaging with legal and ethical standards to navigate these complex issues [[❞]](https://www.joblo.com/openai-chatgpt-4o-scarlett-johansson/).

Ethical and Legal Implications
This case underscores the broader ethical and legal challenges in AI development, particularly around the use of voice and likeness. As AI technologies advance, the need for clear guidelines and consent protocols becomes increasingly critical to protect individuals' identities and creative properties.

 Conclusion
Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit against OpenAI is a stark reminder of the thin line between innovation and infringement. As AI continues to evolve, it will be crucial for developers and companies to navigate these waters carefully, ensuring respect for individual rights and maintaining ethical standards.

Stay tuned to WhatIsAINow.com for more updates on this story and other AI-related news.

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Source:
- Yahoo! News
- The Decoder
- JoBlo