Scarlett Johansson is making headlines for her legal suit against OpenAI. In a statement issued to the media, the Black Widow actress criticised Sam Altman's company for using a voice similar to hers in the new model of ChatGPT, which they labelled as 'Sky'. Scarlett claimed that OpenAI had approached her to lend her voice for ChatGPT 4.0, and after considerable deliberation, she declined their offer. However, she alleged that OpenAI went ahead and used a voice almost identical to hers, which even users of the model had pointed out earlier. Interestingly, even before Scarlett's statement went viral, Sam Altman's organisation had dropped the voice for the same reasons, though they didn't specify if it was the actress' legal approach that forced them to do so. Scarlett Johansson Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI for Unauthorised Use of Her Voice in ChatGPT Product – Read Statement.

OpenAI’s reason for approaching Scarlett Johansson and subsequently using her voice without permission likely stems from her 2013 film Her. Although Scarlett doesn't physically appear in the movie, she famously voiced the AI model Samantha. Her, directed by Spike Jonze, is set in an unspecified future where virtual assistants and artificial intelligence have permeated nearly every aspect of life. The movie tells the intimate story of a loner, Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and Samantha, the AI model in his phone, as their budding companionship turns into romance for the introverted Theodore, who has trouble seeking love among his fellow humans. Her also starred Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, and Chris Pratt.

Scarlett Johannson's Statement on OpenAI:

Her, which received positive acclaim upon its release in 2013, earned five nominations at the 86th Academy Awards and won Best Original Screenplay for Jonze. Scarlett Johansson ‘Shocked’ and ‘Angered’ To See OpenAI Using Voice Similar to Hers After She Turned Down Request To Lend Her Voice to ChatGPT.

If you plan to watch Her, it is streaming on Prime Video in India, and is also available to purchase or rent on Microsoft Store, Apple iTunes, Max, Google Play Movies, AMC on Demand, Vudu, Spectrum On Demand, and YouTube.

Watch the Trailer of Her:

Scarlett Johansson was praised for her voice work in the movie, bringing a sense of allure, intimacy, and pathos (prompting fans at the time to even clamour for an Oscar nomination for her just for her dubbing). So, when OpenAI approached Scarlett Johansson to lend her dulcet tones for one of their ChatGPT voices, it made sense in their warped corporate logic. However, as netizens pointed out, they completely missed the point Spike Jonze was making through Her. The film's doomed central romance highlights the increasing alienation within human civilisation brought about by the advent of technology. But hey, who cares for dystopian warnings when there are opportunities to make money?

The funny part is on May 13, Sam Altman had put out a post on X that simply said 'her'...

With the whole ScarJo controversy now raging against his company, many feel that the post is indicative that Altman knew about the usage of her voice in the ChatGPT model. Or else what could it be? Share your thoughts on this in the comments section below.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2024 06:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).