To know this story you must find out about a film that was launched in 2013 his the movie Initially a science fiction romance a few man performed by Joaquin Phoenix who falls in love with an working system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Johansson by no means seems within the film however her voice is a continuing presence. He’s the character referred to by the movie’s title. Here is the trailer for many who have not seen it.
It was a decade in the past when discuss AI was largely science fiction. However quick ahead to final week and OpenAI is rolling out a brand new model of its Chap GPT software program. Sam Altman made a giant deal concerning the potential to have pure conversations with a number of completely different voices, together with one referred to as “Sky.”
Instantly, individuals observed that Skye sounded an terrible lot like Scarlett Johansson. The truth is, individuals are saying that Sky first got here out final yr. However the comparability made information final week and OpenAI X posted an announcement final night time saying it was pausing Sky’s availability whereas the corporate answered questions on it.
We have heard questions on how we selected the voices on ChatGPT, particularly on Sky. We’re working to cease utilizing Sky whereas we cope with them.
Learn extra about how we selected these voices: https://t.co/R8wwZjU36L
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 20, 2024
That hyperlink goes to an explainer the place the corporate claims that every one of its voices are the results of work with particular voice actors.
Voice mode is likely one of the most liked options of ChatGPT. Every of the 5 distinct voices you hear has been fastidiously chosen by means of an in depth five-month course of involving skilled voice actors, expertise businesses, casting administrators and trade advisors. We’re sharing extra about how the voices had been chosen…
We imagine that AI voices mustn’t deliberately imitate a celeb’s particular person voice—Skye’s voice shouldn’t be an imitation of Scarlett Johansson however belongs to a unique skilled actress utilizing her personal pure talking voice. To guard their privateness, we can’t share the names of our voice abilities…
In Might 2023, the casting company and our casting administrators issued a name for expertise. Inside per week, they obtained over 400 submissions from voice and display screen actors. For auditions, actors got a script of ChatGPT responses and requested to report them. These samples vary from answering questions on mindfulness to interested by journey plans and even partaking in conversations concerning the consumer’s day.
There may be extra however you get the concept. It was an extended course of and implies that any resemblance to Scarlett Johansson is coincidental. However right this moment, Johansson is telling her facet of the story, and it seems Open AI forgot to say just a few issues. Most notably, it tried to supply him the gig and he turned it down.
Final September, I obtained a proposal from Sam Altman, who wished to rent me to do voice on the present ChatGPT 4.0 system. He informed me that he felt that with my system of voice, I might bridge the hole between tech firms and creatives and assist customers really feel snug with the seismic modifications associated to individuals and al. He mentioned he felt my voice could be comforting to individuals.
After a lot consideration and for private causes, the provide was rejected.
9 months later, my pals, household and most people have all observed how a lot the brand new system referred to as ‘Sky’ feels like me.
Once I heard the launched demo, I used to be shocked, outraged, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily like mine that my closest pals and information shops could not inform the distinction. Mr Altman even hinted that the similarity was intentional, tweeting the only phrase ‘her’ – a reference to a movie by which I voiced a chat system, Samantha, who develops an intimate relationship with a person.
He truly tweeted that.
his
— Sam Altman (@sama) May 13, 2024
He additionally mentioned that two days earlier than the launch of the brand new voice, Altman contacted his agent once more and requested him to rethink. Earlier than he might even reply, the corporate launched a brand new product.
Is the brand new voice an ideal match for Johansson? I do not assume it is a precise match within the sense which you could’t inform them aside, however shut sufficient that it is easy to see why individuals are evaluating.
What I discover laborious to imagine given the historical past is that the match was a coincidence. Apparently Altman wished this voice to be Johansson, and there is this little tidbit. Altman has beforehand singled out the movie his Saying how a lot she liked it and the way it impressed her.
I am assuming Open AI denied it was a sound-like as a result of they do not need to sue however I do not see how they’ll persuade a jury it was something aside from intentional. I posted this comparability on Reddit (from a number of months in the past). That is Johansson from the film his.
And right here is the sky:
I imply, she’s nonetheless not as charming as Scarlett Johansson, however Open AI was clearly making an attempt.
