When Scarlett Johansson expressed shock and disbelief at OpenAI’s new ChatGPT update, which featured a voice she found “eerily similar” to her own, it was more than a personal affront—it was a glimpse into the future of legal challenges in the AI landscape. Johansson, known for her distinctive voice roles, including the AI assistant in the film “Her,” had turned down an offer to lend her voice to OpenAI’s project. Despite her refusal, the resulting voice assistant, “Sky,” used by GPT-4o, seemingly mimicked her vocal characteristics, leading to Johansson’s legal confrontation with the AI powerhouse.
This dispute has prompted not only a reactive removal of Sky’s voice by OpenAI but also an intensifying debate within the tech and entertainment industries regarding the ethical use of AI in emulating human likeness. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, had cryptically tweeted “her” on the day of the launch, an apparent allusion to Johansson’s role in “Her,” further complicating the matter.
OpenAI confirmed in a blog post that they had approached Johansson to be an extra voice for ChatGPT, after five others had already been selected, and once again, days before the launch. However, OpenAI maintains that the voice in question was not Johansson’s imitation but that of another professional actress using her natural speaking voice.
The tension between AI advancements and individual rights is not a novel narrative but Johansson’s case amplifies a growing chorus demanding concrete legal protection against unauthorized mimicry. Experts have referenced the “right of publicity” claims and the landmark case involving Bette Midler against Ford Motor Company, which set a precedent for protecting one’s vocal identity from unauthorized use. The Midler case confirms that an exact replica isn’t necessary for a lawsuit; a close imitation is sufficient grounds.
As the debate rages, industry bodies like Sag-Aftra advocate for federal-level intellectual property rights for voice, image, and likeness to guard against such incidents. This legal backdrop echoes the sentiments of many, including Jeffrey Bennett, Sag-Aftra’s general counsel, emphasizing the urgent need for education and legal frameworks that acknowledge the rights inherent in a person’s voice.
Relevant articles:
– Scarlett Johansson’s OpenAI clash is just the start of legal wrangles over artificial intelligence, theguardian.com, 05/28/2024
– OpenAI’s Latest Controversy: Scarlett Johansson Takes Legal Action for Unauthorized Voice Use, hackernoon.com, 05/27/2024
– Scarlett Johansson’s OpenAI feud rekindles Hollywood fear of artificial intelligence, KSL.com, 05/26/2024
– Scarlett Johansson brought receipts to the OpenAI controversy, TechCrunch, 05/25/2024
– Legal Battle Rocks OpenAI: Sam Altman at Center of Controversy, Analytics Insight, 05/27/2024
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