OpenAI’s recent project, reminiscent of the film “Her” and featuring a voice akin to Scarlett Johansson’s, has stirred controversy within Hollywood circles, as reported by Reuters. Johansson’s claim that the AI’s performance mirrored her own without consent has reignited concerns among creatives about the implications of AI advancements. The incident has prompted discussions between Hollywood and OpenAI regarding potential collaborations, but Johansson’s critique has strained relations, with some executives viewing OpenAI’s actions as presumptuous.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, clarified that the voice was not intended to mimic Johansson’s, stating that the voice actor was cast independently. However, the dispute has raised questions about OpenAI’s relationship with the entertainment industry. Concerns persist among industry insiders regarding the use of copyrighted material in OpenAI’s models, potentially hindering its acceptance among directors and filmmakers.
Despite the conflict, technologists in the entertainment sector see OpenAI’s technology, particularly its text-to-video tool Sora, as a valuable asset for enhancing digital effects and content recommendation systems. Fox has already adopted OpenAI’s ChatGPT for content recommendations on its Tubi streaming service. However, concerns linger regarding the protection of lesser-known performers’ rights in AI-generated content.
Johansson’s dispute with OpenAI underscores the ongoing battle between content creators and AI developers. Legal experts suggest Johansson may have grounds to argue a violation of her right to publicity, citing past cases involving celebrity likeness rights. The outcome of this dispute could shape future discussions on the regulation of AI-generated content and the protection of performers’ rights at a federal level.
