OpenAI did not use Scarlett Johansson's voice for its GPT-4o AI persona "Sky" but rather a different non-union artist, a person familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
According to the report, OpenAI had already hired another actress to voice "Sky" months before Altman even contacted Johansson and her agent.
The actress, who remains anonymous to "protect their privacy," was cast after they suited OpenAI's requirements of a "warm, engaging, [and] charismatic" voice.
The AI firm did not also intend to make the AI's voice resemble Johansson nor did she was mentioned for her role in the sci-fi film "Her" was mentioned throughout the production process.
The report, however, did not mention if Johansson and OpenAI have already come to an understanding following the initial dispute.
Johansson on Monday released an official letter calling out against the unauthorized use of her voice, urging for a "resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected."
Hollywood Celebrities Push Back on Growing AI Presence in Industry
Amid uncertainties on the dispute between Johansson and OpenAI, more Hollywood celebrities are coming forward in support of the actress as concerns for AI continue to grow in the entertainment world.
SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union group instrumental in last year's Hollywood labor strike, called for a "federal legislation that would protect their voices and likenesses."
Johansson's "Avengers" co-star Mark Ruffalo even warned that the incident with the actress was "just the beginning.
This is just the beginning. Time to go out and hug a tree.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 21, 2024
Article: “ChatGPT suspends voice as actor speaks out against OpenAI” https://t.co/lguTpuS0ZB
OpenAI has been reportedly in discussion with Hollywood studio executives just months after the historic strike against threats of AI to people's livelihoods and safety in the industry.
New releases of AI video generators have also noticeably targeted filmmakers as seen with the recent promotion of Google's video generator Veo with Grammy-winner Donald Glover (Childish Gambino).
Scarlett Johansson Scandal Brings Back Attention to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
As Axios reported, Johansson's dispute with OpenAI has brought back people's attention to Altman and long-held concerns about AI safety under his leadership.
It can be remembered that OpenAI dissolved one of its AI safety teams after its leaders left over concerns that "safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products."
But over the past years, safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products.
— Jan Leike (@janleike) May 17, 2024
Altman was previously ousted from his position during last year's leadership shakeup amid growing distrust in the company's attitude towards development and distribution.
With a new scandal on the company's lap, a growing voice on social media has started calling for Altman's resignation to take accountability and bring changes to the company's current trajectory.
