San Francisco, CA – OpenAI faced criticism after unveiling “Sky”, a voice option for ChatGPT that sounded eerily similar to Scarlett Johansson’s AI companion character in the movie “Her”. Following the public outcry over the “flirtatious, feminine voice”, OpenAI swiftly removed Sky from the ChatGPT platform.
During the debut event for the new ChatGPT-4o model, researchers showcased Sky’s engaging and responsive communication style. Many users and media outlets were quick to draw comparisons between Sky and Johansson’s character from “Her”, prompting speculation about intentional imitation.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, inadvertently fueled the imitation claims by tweeting “her” shortly after the presentation. However, the company later clarified that Sky was not based on Johansson and was actually voiced by a different professional actress, whose identity remains undisclosed to protect privacy.
The decision to remove Sky came amidst resignations from key safety team members and allegations that OpenAI prioritized product launches over safety protocols. Former researcher Jan Leike criticized the company for favoring “shiny products” over safety culture, prompting a defense from Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who assured that safety is a paramount concern for OpenAI.
The controversy surrounding ChatGPT’s voices also shed light on the tensions between AI companies and the entertainment industry. OpenAI’s collaboration with voice actors, along with efforts to compensate them for their work, aims to address concerns over AI potentially displacing human workers. Nonetheless, the intersection of AI technologies and creative industries remains a topic of ongoing debate and legal scrutiny.
As OpenAI navigates the fallout from the Sky voice incident, the company’s commitment to safety, transparency, and ethical AI development will likely come under increased scrutiny. The evolving landscape of AI innovations and their implications for society underscore the complex ethical and legal challenges facing tech companies in the 21st century.