Editor 
Actors’ Rights and AI: The Johansson-OpenAI Dispute
The evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and entertainment industry rights has come to the forefront with a recent dispute involving Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI [Read]. The influential actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, has publicly backed Johansson after she raised concerns about the voice feature of OpenAI’s latest AI system, GPT-4o. Johansson claimed that the AI’s voice, which interacts with users as an audio persona named “Sky,” sounded “eerily similar” to her own. This dispute underscores the increasing importance of protecting actors’ rights to their voices and images amidst the rapid advancement of AI technology in Hollywood.
Key Points:
- OpenAI’s GPT-4o and “Sky”: OpenAI recently introduced GPT-4o, an AI model with an audio-interactive persona referred to as “Sky.”
- Johansson’s Refusal: Scarlett Johansson had previously declined an invitation from OpenAI to use her voice for this system.
- OpenAI’s Response: Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, confirmed that Sky’s voice belonged to a different professional actress. Consequently, OpenAI removed Sky’s voice from its products after Johansson’s complaint.
SAG-AFTRA’s Support and Actions
- Union’s Stance: SAG-AFTRA expressed gratitude to Johansson for bringing this issue to public attention and fully supported her right to clarity and transparency regarding the voice used.
- Legislation Efforts: The union is actively pushing for federal legislation to protect actors’ voices and likenesses against unauthorized use by AI systems.
- Continued Engagement: SAG-AFTRA is committed to engaging with OpenAI and other stakeholders to ensure transparent and robust protections for all of its members.
The Broader Context
The dispute over actors’ rights to their voices and images is not isolated. In Hollywood, where studios are increasingly exploring the utility of AI in creating new forms of entertainment, protecting these rights has become a focal point. As AI-generated images and sounds become nearly indistinguishable from genuine human expressions, the relevance of the ongoing debate has only intensified.
Here’s why this issue is particularly urgent:
- Technological Advancements: AI technology is rapidly advancing, which means that unauthorized use of an actor’s voice or image could become more common and harder to control.
- Legal Precedents: Setting strong legal precedents now can preserve the integrity of actors’ rights in the future.
- Economic Implications: Unauthorized use of an actor’s voice can have significant financial implications, affecting their brand and marketability.
Johansson’s Experience
Scarlett Johansson’s experience serves as a compelling case study for understanding the depths of this issue:
- Initial Offer and Decline: Johansson disclosed that she had declined an offer from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to voice a ChatGPT system last September.
- Unexpected Outcome: She expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing the released demo of Sky, which she claimed sounded strikingly similar to her own voice.
Conclusion
The unwavering support of SAG-AFTRA for Scarlett Johansson in the OpenAI voice misuse claim is a poignant reminder of the necessity to safeguard actors’ rights in the contemporary landscape of AI-driven entertainment. The union’s proactive steps to secure agreements from Hollywood studios and advocate for federal legislation highlight the urgent need for clear and strong protections for actors’ voices and likenesses. As AI technology continues to evolve, maintaining a balance between innovation and respect for individual rights will be essential.
References:
- Reuters: “Actors union backs Scarlett Johansson after claim of voice misuse by OpenAI”
- AOL: “Actors union backs Scarlett Johansson after claim of voice misuse”
- U.S. News: “Actors Union Backs Scarlett Johansson After Claim of Voice Misuse by OpenAI”
- Yahoo: “Actors union supports Scarlett Johansson in fight over ChatGPT”
- Noam Scheiber’s Tweet on Twitter
- Reuters: “Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI chatbot voice ‘eerily similar’ to hers”
