Summary
In May 2024, Scarlett Johansson said OpenAI’s Sky voice sounded like her. She had earlier declined an offer to voice ChatGPT. OpenAI paused Sky and said another actor voiced it. Sam Altman’s “Her” post added to the backlash. The dispute raised questions about consent, voice likeness, and launch communication.
Introduction
Johansson said Sky sounded like her performance as Samantha in “Her.” She had declined OpenAI’s offer to voice ChatGPT. OpenAI said another actor voiced Sky. OpenAI said it did not intend to imitate Johansson. Read OpenAI’s account of its voice-selection process.
How Sky became controversial
In May 2024, OpenAI introduced GPT-4o and its Sky voice at the Spring Event. Listeners compared Sky’s voice with Johansson’s voice as Samantha in the 2013 film “Her.” Johansson had declined an offer to voice ChatGPT.
The Movie “Her”
“Her” is a film directed by Spike Jonze. Joaquin Phoenix plays the writer Theodore Twombly. He forms a relationship with an AI assistant named Samantha. Scarlett Johansson voices Samantha.
What OpenAI and Johansson said
OpenAI says Sam Altman first asked Johansson to voice ChatGPT on September 11, 2023. She said no through her agent about a week later. On May 10, 2024, Altman asked her team whether she might reconsider as a future voice. The Associated Press reported that Johansson’s lawyers later sent OpenAI two letters. They asked how it made Sky. OpenAI paused the voice on May 19. Altman apologized for poor communication. OpenAI said another actor voiced Sky. It denied choosing the voice to sound like Johansson.
Sam Altman’s “Her” Post
On May 13, 2024, the day OpenAI introduced GPT-4o and demoed Sky, Altman posted one word: “Her.” Many readers connected the post to the film and the voice comparison. People criticized it because the timing drew more attention to the comparison.
Questions about permission and voice similarity
The dispute raised questions beyond Sky. Companies need to check whether a voice resembles a real person. They should record permission and explain AI products before launch.
How OpenAI chose ChatGPT voices
OpenAI paused Sky and published an account of its voice selection process.
How OpenAI chose the voices
OpenAI says casting directors and producers helped select its voices. The process lasted five months. The team received more than 400 submissions from voice and screen actors. It chose voices that sounded clear and natural and could appeal to people around the world.
OpenAI said a different professional actress voiced Sky. The company said it did not choose the voice to sound like Johansson. It did not name the actor to protect her privacy.
What OpenAI said about the concerns
OpenAI said its AI voices should not be made to sound like a specific celebrity. The company said it would address questions about how it chose ChatGPT’s voices.
Permission, voice similarity, and public trust
Johansson said Sky sounded like her. OpenAI said it was not an imitation. Companies should record permission. They should check whether listeners could mistake a voice for a real person. They should explain how they choose voices before launch.
When a launch post causes backlash
The saying “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” is too simple here. Altman’s “Her” post drew attention, but it also made the voice comparison more visible. A launch message can shape how people interpret a product decision. For a different kind of launch, see Eminem’s “Houdini” marketing masterclass.
Conclusion
The Scarlett Johansson case shows how voice choice affects trust. Consent and public messaging matter too. Voice teams can document permission. They can check for resemblance and explain how they choose voices. See our AI tools guide for entrepreneurs.
Lessons for entrepreneurs
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Get permission: Keep a clear record of consent for each voice or likeness used in a product.
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Check for resemblance: Test voice samples before launch. Ask listeners if a sample reminds them of someone real.
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Explain your choices: Name the performer and explain how the company chose the voice. Respect the actor’s privacy.
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Plan for questions: Decide who will respond and what steps the team can take if a voice raises concerns.
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Check local rules: Confirm which laws apply to voice, likeness, and AI products in each market.
FAQ
What happened between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI?
In May 2024, Johansson said OpenAI’s Sky voice sounded like her as Samantha in Her. She had earlier declined OpenAI’s offer to voice ChatGPT. OpenAI paused Sky and said a different actress voiced it.
Did OpenAI say Sky copied Scarlett Johansson?
No. OpenAI said a different actress voiced Sky. The company denied choosing the voice to sound like Johansson. OpenAI paused Sky after the dispute. Sam Altman apologized for how the company communicated about it.
Why did Sam Altman’s “Her” post matter?
Altman posted the single word “Her” on the day of the Sky demo. The word refers to the film starring Johansson. Readers connected the post to the voice comparison, which led to more criticism.
Further Reading Resources
These links provide further reading on the 2024 dispute and the wider debate about AI voices:
Primary sources
- OpenAI: How the voices for ChatGPT were chosen
- Associated Press: Scarlett Johansson says a ChatGPT voice is “eerily similar” to hers and OpenAI is halting its use
Ethical Considerations and AI Voice Cloning
- AI Voice Ethics & Voice Cloning Contract - BeyondWords
- AI Ethics Starkly Questioning Human Voice Cloning - Forbes
- What is AI Voice Cloning: Tech, Ethics, and Future Possibilities - Fliki
- Ethics at Resemble AI
- Ethical Concerns Related to Voice Cloning & Misuse of AI-Generated Voiceovers - Appy Pie
Legal Implications and Intellectual Property
- OpenAI Lawsuit: A Watershed Moment for AI Ethics and Intellectual Property - TribLive
- The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property - WIIPA
- Ethics Are the Core of Our Voice Cloning Principles - Respeecher
- Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Legal Issues - Dilworth IP
The Scarlett Johansson Scandal
- The Scarlett Johansson Scandal: OpenAI’s Controversial Path - Fast Company
- OpenAI Pulls Controversial Voice for ChatGPT - Yahoo News
- Bereft ChatGPT Fans Start Petition to Bring Back Controversial ‘Sky’ Chatbot Voice - TechRadar
- Scarlett Johansson Scandal Puts OpenAI’s Sam Altman Back in the Hot Seat - Axios
- What Scarlett Johansson v. OpenAI Could Look Like in Court - WIRED
- OpenAI Declines Scarlett Johansson’s Claim of Copying ‘Her’ Voice - Times of India
- What OpenAI’s Scarlett Johansson Drama Tells Us About the Future of AI - Mashable
- Scarlett Johansson Told OpenAI Not to Use Her Voice - The Verge
- OpenAI Voice Scandal: Sky’s Fall From Grace - YouTube
