OpenAI recently announced that it plans to halt the use of one of its ChatGPT voices, named Sky, after some users noted similarities to actress Scarlett Johansson, who famously voiced an AI assistant in the 2013 film “Her.” The company stated that it is “working to pause” the use of Sky in response to concerns raised about the selection process for the lifelike audio options available for its AI chatbot.
OpenAI clarified that Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson, but rather belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. The company emphasized that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice. Additionally, OpenAI did not disclose the names of its voice actors for privacy reasons.
The decision to pause the use of Sky comes as OpenAI continues to enhance its generative AI model, GPT-4o, which can mimic human cadences in verbal responses and detect people’s moods. The latest model is designed to work faster than previous versions and reason across text, audio, and video in real time. While GPT-4o is not widely available yet, it will gradually be released to select users in the coming weeks and months.
The advancements in AI technology have led to comparisons with the futuristic themes explored in “Her,” a film that depicts a man developing a relationship with an AI-operating system. Some observers have raised concerns about the gendered ways in which tech companies develop and engage with voice assistants, noting issues of subservience and sexism. In response to these critiques, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted the word “her” on social media following the unveiling of GPT-4o.
As the field of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, discussions around ethics, privacy, and gender representation in AI technology are likely to remain prominent topics of debate. OpenAI’s decision to pause the use of Sky reflects the company’s commitment to addressing concerns and promoting responsible AI development.