OpenAI Removes Scarlett Johansson-Like Voice from ChatGPT: Here's Why
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OpenAI, the research company behind the popular ChatGPT language model, recently announced it's pausing the use of a specific voice option called "Sky." This decision comes after users widely compared Sky's voice to that of actress Scarlett Johansson, particularly her character Samantha in the sci-fi film "Her."
Why Did OpenAI Remove the Voice?
Recently, a week ago, AI giant OpenAI introduced a new and improved version of its ChatBot 一 GPT-4o, a faster, cheaper, and higher rate limiter. The main focus point of this new version was its voice input processing. This new version provides real-time voice translation to the user which has made this Sky feature much more prominent.
OpenAI maintains that Sky was never intended to mimic a celebrity. In a blog post, they emphasized their commitment to using voices that are "approachable" and build trust, rather than impersonate well-known figures.
However, the comparisons were undeniable. Sky's breathy, conversational tone and the playful way it interacted during demos sparked user discussions about its resemblance to Johansson. CEO Altman also seems to be aware of her resemblance to Scarlet Johnson, so he may have posted the word "her" on X after her event. The latest move by OpenAI aims to potentially avoid any potential legal issues or complications regarding celebrity voice rights.