OpenAI Pauses 'Sky' Voice in Audible ChatGPT Amid Scarlett Johansson Concerns

May 20, 2024, 07:28 AM

OpenAI has decided to pause the use of the 'Sky' voice in ChatGPT after users raised concerns that it sounded too much like actress Scarlett Johansson. The company clarified that Sky's voice is not an imitation of Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. This decision comes after over 400 voice and screen actors auditioned, leading to the final selection of five distinct voices: Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper, and Sky. Voice actors were compensated above market rates. OpenAI is addressing community concerns and working on the issue. The pause affects the audible version of ChatGPT. Some users speculated that the decision might be related to potential royalties. There are calls for OpenAI to release infinite voices for GPT-4o now that 'Sky' is paused.