Remember Samantha, the alluring AI voice assistant from the movie Her? Well, it seems the days of seductive AI companions are on hold, at least for now. OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has removed a voice option that bore an uncanny resemblance to Scarlett Johansson‘s portrayal of Samantha.
This decision has sparked debate about the role of voice and the potential pitfalls of over-sexualization in AI development. The “sexy AI girlfriend” trope has apparently created trouble for ChatGPT and also drawn a reaction from Scarlett Johansson.
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OpenAI Silences Scarlett Johansson’s Voice On ChatGPT
OpenAI recently introduced a new wave of voice options for their ChatGPT platform. Among them was “Sky,” a voice lauded for its natural-sounding quality. However, what truly captured the public’s attention was Sky’s striking similarity to Scarlett Johansson’s voice in ‘Her’.
The resemblance was undeniable, leading to a flurry of jokes and comparisons. While some users embraced the ‘Her’ connection, others were left uneasy. The concern lies around the over-sexualization of AI assistants and AL’s ability to mimic celebrity voices. Samantha represents a complex and emotionally manipulative AI in the movie. Some worried that replicating her voice could potentially lead to unhealthy user interactions with AI companions.
OpenAI itself downplayed the connection to Johansson. The company insisted that Sky belonged to a different voice actor and was not intended to be an imitation. Despite this, the decision to remove the voice suggests OpenAI might have been swayed by the public’s unease.
However, the actress has a different story to tell. Scarlett Johansson said she was “shocked” that Sam Altman created an AI voice that sounded “eerily” like her even after she declined a proposal from ChatGPT. The ‘Black Widow‘ actress also issued a statement on Monday about the same, wherein she alleged that Altman even re-upped his offer for her to officially lend her voice to his product after the Sky demo was already out.
The actress further claimed in her statement that she made her lawyers write to him demanding an explanation about the inspiration behind the AI voice. She also references the 2013 Spike Jonze movie ‘Her‘ in the statement.
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Was The Removal Of ‘Sky’ Necessary?
The ‘Sky’ controversy highlights the growing importance of voice in our interactions with technology. A natural, engaging voice can make AI assistants more user-friendly and even foster a sense of connection. However, the choice of voice also carries weight. Additionally, A voice like Sky might backfire as celebrity infatuation is very real.
It can end up creating unrealistic expectations and potentially manipulative interactions. The removal of ‘Sky’ doesn’t signal the end of engaging voices in AI development. AI assistants can benefit from a range of natural-sounding voices, each with its own unique personality and purpose. Perhaps the future lies in voices that are informative, friendly, and even humorous, all without resorting to unnecessary flirtation.
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