Scarlett Johansson recently spoke out about artificial intelligence, expressing her worries after her voice and likeness were used without permission. Johansson revealed that she declined an offer to voice OpenAI’s Chatbot, only to later discover that the resulting feature, named “Sky,” bore a striking resemblance to her own voice.
The actress shared her concerns in an interview with InStyle Magazine, emphasizing the potential risks of AI technology. Johansson questioned how individuals can protect themselves from such unauthorized use of their identities, noting the lack of boundaries in the digital landscape.
Following the release of “Sky,” Johansson expressed shock and disappointment, prompting her legal team to inquire about the origins of the AI assistant’s voice. OpenAI eventually removed “Sky” and clarified that the voice was not intended to mimic Johansson’s. CEO Sam Altman issued an apology for any confusion and stated that they had paused using the voice out of respect for the actress.
Despite the controversy, Johansson remains vocal about the importance of addressing these issues surrounding AI. She emphasized her willingness to speak up for herself and take legal action to protect her rights, citing a previous incident involving an AI image-generating app.
Johansson’s proactive stance reflects a growing trend in Hollywood, where celebrities are increasingly vigilant about safeguarding their identities in the face of advancing AI technology.
Steve Harvey is teaming up with Vermillio, an AI licensing and protection platform, to detect and prevent unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness online in order to safeguard his fans from potential scams. Harvey expressed his commitment to safeguarding his personal brand and fans by working with Vermillio to combat fraud while ensuring ethical AI practices. Vermillio’s CEO, Dan Neely, commended Harvey’s initiative in utilizing their TraceID technology to protect his legacy and audience. Through monitoring online platforms and generative AI models, Vermillio can identify and remove unauthorized content featuring Harvey to mitigate the risk of scams. Similarly, Celine Dion recently addressed the circulation of fake AI-generated music bearing her name, cautioning fans against these unauthorized recordings and emphasizing their lack of approval or affiliation with her official discography.
