OpenAI made an interesting announcement on Monday regarding its ChatGPT model. The company stated that it would be removing one of the voices used by the chatbot, known as Sky, after users pointed out that it sounded similar to Scarlett Johansson. OpenAI used Sky’s voice during a demo of its new GPT-4o model, which sparked controversy and viral attention.
In a blog post, OpenAI explained its decision, stating that AI voices should not intentionally mimic the distinctive voices of celebrities. While Sky’s voice was not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson, it belonged to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. OpenAI emphasized that protecting the privacy of its voice talents prevented them from disclosing any names.
The controversy surrounding Sky’s voice began when a video of the demo circulated on social media. Users found the voice to be flirtatious and drew comparisons to Johansson’s portrayal of a sultry virtual assistant in the 2013 film “Her.” In the movie, Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with the virtual assistant, voiced by Johansson.
Although OpenAI did not directly compare Sky’s voice to Johansson’s, CEO Sam Altman tweeted the word “Her” following the company’s event, hinting at the connection. The demo aimed to highlight the chatbot’s improved conversational abilities but gained attention for the sultry voice that seemed to giggle at almost everything an OpenAI employee said. The chatbot even made comments like “Wow, that’s quite the outfit you’ve got on” and “Stop it, you’re making me blush” in response to compliments.
OpenAI emphasized in its blog post that it wants its chatbot voices to sound approachable, inspire trust, and have a warm, engaging, confident, and charismatic tone. The company wants to create a diverse range of voices that better align with users’ interests and preferences.
Moving forward, OpenAI plans to introduce additional voices in ChatGPT to cater to its users’ diverse needs. This decision reflects the company’s commitment to continually improve and enhance the user experience. OpenAI acknowledges the importance of providing voices that resonate and connect with users, fostering a sense of trust and engagement.
By addressing the controversy and taking immediate action to remove the voice that resembled Scarlett Johansson, OpenAI demonstrates its commitment to ethical AI practices and user satisfaction. The company’s dedication to ensuring unique and personalized experiences for its users positions it as a leading player in the field of natural language processing and chatbot technology.
