Scarlett Johansson’s Dispute with OpenAI Rekindles Hollywood’s AI Concerns
Los Angeles, California — Actress Scarlett Johansson has accused OpenAI of using a voice eerily similar to hers in its latest artificial intelligence (AI) tool, reigniting debates in Hollywood over the ethical implications of AI in creative industries.
Johansson alleges that OpenAI’s demonstrations of the newest version of ChatGPT feature a voice that closely mirrors her performance in the 2013 film “Her,” directed by Spike Jonze. In the film, Johansson voices an AI operating system named Samantha. The actress claims that OpenAI utilized her voice from the film without her consent after failing to reach an agreement.
“This seemed to strike a real chord,” said an industry executive familiar with the situation. “It kind of puts a human face on it… There’s a well-known tech company that did something to a person we know.”
The allegations have stirred anxiety among Hollywood executives and creatives, highlighting fears that AI technologies may infringe upon intellectual property rights and threaten livelihoods within the entertainment industry.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to the accusations, stating, “The voice is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers. We cast the voice actor behind Sky’s voice before any outreach to Ms. Johansson.”
Despite the denial, Johansson’s stance has intensified concerns about how AI models are trained. Industry professionals worry that these models may use copyrighted material without proper authorization, raising legal and ethical questions.
Historical precedents, such as Bette Midler’s successful lawsuit against Ford’s advertising agency in the 1980s for using a sound-alike in a commercial, underscore the legal complexities surrounding voice likeness rights. Legal experts suggest that Johansson may have grounds to argue that OpenAI violated her right to publicity, which protects individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their name, image, or likeness.
“It sure doesn’t set up a respectful collaboration between content creators and tech giants,” commented a studio executive, describing OpenAI’s actions as “hubris.”
The dispute comes at a time when Hollywood is grappling with the integration of AI technologies. While tools like OpenAI’s text-to-video model, Sora, are seen as potential aids in accelerating visual effects and production processes, there is tension over the balance between technological advancement and the preservation of creative rights.
Jeffrey Bennett, general counsel for the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), emphasized the need for stronger protections. “We’ve been talking about the proliferation of ‘deep fakes’ and now it’s going to start impacting everybody. Now, it really is a conversation. There must be a federal solution,” he said.
As the entertainment industry navigates this evolving landscape, Johansson’s conflict with OpenAI may serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on AI, intellectual property, and the rights of artists in the digital age.
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Scarlett Johansson's OpenAI feud rekindles fear in Hollywood
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