OpenAI has suspended the Sky voice in its ChatGPT application after users pointed out its notable similarity to actress Scarlett Johansson. This decision comes in response to feedback that the voice closely mimics Johansson, who is widely recognized for her role as a virtual assistant in the film “Her.”
User Feedback and Company Response
The Sky voice, one of five available in ChatGPT, was created using the natural speaking voice of a different professional actress. OpenAI clarified that the voice was not intended to imitate Johansson. The company emphasized that their voice selection process did not aim to replicate any specific celebrity. OpenAI has acknowledged the users’ concerns and is taking steps to address the issue.
“We spoke with each actor about the vision for human-AI voice interactions and OpenAI, and discussed the technology’s capabilities, limitations, and the risks involved, as well as the safeguards we have implemented. It was important to us that each actor understood the scope and intentions of Voice Mode before committing to the project. An internal team at OpenAI reviewed the voices from a product and research perspective, and after careful consideration, the voices for Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper and Sky were finally selected.”
The resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s voice in “Her” has likely fueled the perception that the Sky voice is a deliberate imitation. In the film, Johansson’s character forms a deep emotional connection with a human, which may have heightened sensitivity around the voice’s similarity. OpenAI’s blog post explains that the voice selection was based on various criteria, none of which included mimicking Johansson.
Future Steps by OpenAI
OpenAI is now working to replace the Sky voice in ChatGPT to prevent any further confusion or perceived imitation. The company remains committed to offering diverse and unique voice options for its users while ensuring that no voice unduly resembles a real-life individual.
OpenAI continues to refine its technology to better serve its user base and maintain ethical standards in AI development. For further details, users can refer to OpenAI’s official blog post on the matter.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 8:18 pm CET