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The Conversation
The Conversation
Alex Borkowski, PhD Candidate, Communication & Culture, York University, Canada

ChatGPT’s use of a soundalike Scarlett Johansson reflects a troubling history of gender-stereotyping in technology

Scarlett Johansson OpenAI Joseph Weizenbaum Sam Altman
Scarlett Johansson, shown here in a 2012 photo receiving her star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, did not grant OpenAI permission to use her voice. (Shutterstock)

Actress Scarlett Johansson released a statement this week expressing anger and concern that OpenAI used a voice “eerily similar” to her own as a default voice for ChatGPT.

The voice in question, called Sky, has been available to users since September 2023, but the resemblance to Johansson’s voice became clearer last week when OpenAI demoed an updated model called GPT-4o. Johansson claims that OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman previously asked her if she would provide her voice for ChatGPT, and she had declined the invitation.

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