Actors union backs Scarlett Johansson after claim of voice misuse by OpenAI

SAG-AFTRA, the prominent union representing TV and radio artists, expressed support for Scarlett Johansson after she voiced concerns about a new OpenAI system’s voice feature that she claimed sounded “eerily similar” to her own. Last week, OpenAI introduced its latest AI model, GPT-4o, featuring an audio persona named “Sky.”

Johansson revealed on Monday that she had previously declined a request from OpenAI to use her voice for the system. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the voice was actually from a different professional actress and assured that Sky’s voice would be removed from their products.

A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson thanked Johansson for raising this critical issue, emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency regarding voice usage. The union, representing around 160,000 entertainment and media professionals worldwide, has been instrumental in negotiating better pay and AI protections for actors with Hollywood studios.

The debate over rights to actors’ voices and images has intensified as AI technology advances, making computer-generated content almost indistinguishable from human performances. SAG-AFTRA announced it is vigorously supporting federal legislation to protect actors’ voices and likenesses and is committed to working with OpenAI and other stakeholders to establish robust protections for all members.