Actress Scarlett Johansson expresses surprise and frustration as OpenAI pauses AI voice ‘Sky’ following claims of likeness to her own voice. The incident raises concerns over control in AI technologies amidst the launch of GPT-4o. Expert warnings at the AI Seoul Summit and environmental worries add to ongoing ethical debates in the tech industry, while government actions address the NHS infected blood scandal.
Scarlett Johansson recently expressed her “shock” and “anger” upon discovering that an artificial intelligence (AI) voice created for OpenAI’s ChatGPT was allegedly similar to her own. OpenAI responded by halting the use of the voice, dubbed “Sky,” after Johansson’s legal team intervened. Johansson claimed she had declined an offer from OpenAI last September to voice an AI assistant, only to later find the new voice eerily similar to her own.
OpenAI countered that Sky’s voice was not intended to resemble Johansson’s and stated it was created by another actress using her natural speaking voice. The controversy coincides with the rollout of OpenAI’s latest AI model, GPT-4o, which features advanced voice capabilities.
During the AI Seoul Summit, experts warned about the lack of sufficient control over AI technologies. Meanwhile, an unrelated University of New Mexico study revealed the presence of microplastics in human testicles, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns. These developments come as the tech industry continues to grapple with the ethical implications of AI advancements.
Further, government actions were noted in relation to the NHS infected blood scandal, with potential corporate manslaughter charges under review.
