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When Scarlett Johansson starred in the film “Her” back in 2013, the concept of an AI like the one depicted seemed firmly entrenched in the realm of science fiction. Fast forward over a decade later, and it’s safe to say that those initial skeptics were onto something. Despite the fervent enthusiasm of tech enthusiasts and their legion of online followers, advancements like those seen with ChatGPT are still a far cry from achieving the kind of AI capabilities showcased in sci-fi classics like “Her” or “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
In reality, ChatGPT and similar generative AI programs have largely inundated the internet with low-quality content, much of which is easily discernible as fake upon closer inspection. Despite this, tech enthusiasts continue to extol the virtues of these advancements as if we’re already living in a futuristic utopia. However, given their track record of overhyping ventures like WeWork, which ultimately proved to be overvalued and underperforming, it’s evident that their judgment may not always be the most reliable.
Nevertheless, it’s worth acknowledging that ChatGPT does offer some benefits, and in terms of generative AI, it represents a significant leap forward compared to its predecessors. Developed by OpenAI, the chatbot was initially founded on principles of open-source software and knowledge dissemination. However, like many tech companies, OpenAI’s founders have been swayed by the allure of profits, engaging in morally questionable practices such as content theft to train their models, some of which may also be illegal.
The most recent controversy involving ChatGPT revolves around Scarlett Johansson, but it extends beyond just the acclaimed actress. Johansson has filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT, alleging that one of the voice options available on the new ChatGPT-40 model is derived from her voice, despite her explicit refusal to consent to its use. Johansson claims she was approached by OpenAI in 2023 to provide her voice for the AI system, but she declined for personal reasons. However, she was dismayed to discover the option named “Sky,” which closely resembled her voice, leading her to take legal action.
OpenAI has denied Johansson’s claims, stating that a different voice actor was used for Sky, but their credibility has been called into question. CEO Sam Altman’s tweet linking the voice to the film “Her” further complicates matters. While Johansson has not yet filed a lawsuit, she has taken steps to have the Sky voice model removed from the service. Whether further legal action will follow remains to be seen.