OpenAI and Sam Altman Criticized for Using Scarlett Johansson's Voice Without Permission

OpenAI's recent launch of its latest AI model, GPT-4o—integral to ChatGPT and various third-party applications—initially thrilled users. However, the situation quickly spiraled.

Before GPT-4o's debut, OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman fueled speculation about developing a virtual assistant reminiscent of the AI system in the 2013 film Her, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Altman engaged with a post on X (formerly Twitter) where a user mentioned watching the movie in anticipation of the OpenAI Spring Update event, even tweeting "her" during the gathering.

During the event, one of the AI-generated voices, named “Sky,” drew comparisons to Johansson's voice from Her. However, chaos erupted on May 20, 2024, when OpenAI announced via X that it was "working to pause the use of Sky" amid widespread scrutiny regarding voice selection in ChatGPT.

Later that day, Johansson's representative criticized OpenAI and Altman for attempting to use her voice without permission nine months earlier. The statement cited her shock and anger at the similarities between the Sky voice and her own, leading her to hire legal counsel, which ultimately prompted OpenAI's decision to cease use of the voice.

OpenAI responded with a statement attributed to Altman, asserting, "The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers." He maintained that the voice actor behind Sky was cast before any contact with Johansson and expressed regret for the lack of communication.

In a prior blog post, OpenAI emphasized that Sky was not an imitation of Johansson but the work of a different voice actress. The company clarified that each voice—Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky—was created in collaboration with voice actors during recording sessions held in San Francisco in mid-2023.

Despite OpenAI's denials, criticism has surged on X, with both detractors and some conscientious supporters rallying in Johansson’s favor. This uproar follows the resignation of prominent OpenAI figures, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who recently criticized the company's leadership for prioritizing flashy products over safety.

The incident has reignited discussions about Altman’s leadership, as some users call for his ouster, paralleling previous controversies that led to his temporary dismissal last year.

The implications of this situation for OpenAI's business and its relationship with regulators and partners like Microsoft remain to be seen.