Actress Scarlett Johansson is considering a potential lawsuit against OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, after claiming that the now pulled chatbot voice Sky sounded eerily similar to her own voice. This legal issue highlights the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and voice cloning technology, which have made it easier for voices to be replicated with greater ease and accuracy. Johansson could potentially bring claims against OpenAI under existing laws related to rights to privacy, copyright, false endorsement, and the right to publicity, which protects individuals from having their name or likeness used without permission.
Legal experts have pointed out that the issues in Johansson’s case are not unique to AI and have similarities to past cases involving successful voice impersonation lawsuits. The advancement of technology has exacerbated the problem of impersonation, with anyone potentially being targeted by individuals trying to clone their voices using AI. This issue extends beyond Hollywood, as demonstrated by the proliferation of AI phone scams that clone people’s voices. Lawmakers are urged to update laws to keep pace with modern technology and protect individuals from unauthorized use of their personal information.
The case involving Johansson and OpenAI raises questions about the need for clearer laws governing the use of an individual’s voice, image, and other personal information. Currently, laws in this area are fragmented and vary by state, highlighting the growing need for comprehensive legislation to address these issues. It is important for legal protections to be in place to prevent unauthorized imitation and ensure that individuals have the power and resources to fight back legally.
Despite the vocal similarities between Sky and Johansson, OpenAI has emphasized that the voice is not an imitation and belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice. While experts believe that Johansson may have a strong case against OpenAI under a right to publicity claim, the outcome of a potential lawsuit would depend on various factors that are not yet publicly available. Congress is considering a federal right of publicity to address issues related to soundalikes in AI, signaling that cases like this one are just the beginning of legal challenges in this area.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who does not hold equity in the company but has a net worth estimated at $1 billion, has acknowledged the vocal similarities between Sky and Johansson. Altman’s connections to the film “Her,” in which Johansson lent her voice to a virtual assistant role, have raised suspicions of a possible connection between the two. The case serves as a reminder of the potential risks posed by AI technology and the importance of establishing clear legal guidelines to protect individuals from unauthorized use of their personal information.
