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Scarlett Johansson hits out at AI after a chatbot copied her voice: ‘It threatens reality’

BBG News

Scarlett Johansson expressed concerns about artificial intelligence following the creation of a ChatGPT-like voice assistant by a technology firm, which was remarkably similar to her voice, even though she declined to contribute her voice for this specific project.

40-year-old actress from Hollywood expressed surprise and astonishment upon seeing OpenAI’s virtual assistant, named Sky, during the extravagant Silicon Valley event that took place in May 2024.

It didn’t take long for spectators to point out that the assistant’s seductive, deep voice shared a striking similarity to Johansson’s unique vocal timbre, particularly reminiscent of her performance in Her (2013), a science fiction film where she portrayed an AI developing a romantic bond with its human operator.

Amplifying the confusion, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, seemingly fueled the speculation by posting a solitary cryptic message on social media during the launch: ‘Her.’

The reference was broadly interpreted as a wink towards Johansson’s character in the movie, adding more fuel to the rumors suggesting that the company may have drawn inspiration from her without seeking consent.

Later on, it was disclosed that Altman had previously reached out to Scarlett several months prior, proposing the role of the assistant’s voice, which she declined. However, a voice remarkably similar to hers was still utilized in the end.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Scarlett expressed her viewpoint that although artificial intelligence has its uses in movie making, it cannot replicate the heartfelt essence of genuine performances.

As an ardent admirer of my craft, I can’t fathom that artificial intelligence could possibly mimic the work I do, let alone the emotional depth and soulful nuances it requires.

While she admitted that AI was beneficial, especially in creating visual effects, Scarlett emphasized a more significant threat lurking as the technology starts to erode the distinction between authenticity and illusion.

She stated: ‘This is a warning. The broader implication – concerning the delicate self-esteem of humans, enabling us to maintain faith in each other to sustain our society, serves as our moral guide.’

Daily, we navigate through life assuming a shared understanding of the world’s fundamentals. Artificial Intelligence (AI), however, seems to challenge this bedrock, and for me, that notion is quite chilling.

After legal intervention by Scarlett’s legal team, the controversy linked with ‘Sky’ caused ChatGPT to swiftly remove its voice not long after.

Later on, OpenAI stated that the voice wasn’t meant to mimic the actress, but unfortunately, the harm had already been inflicted.

In an amusing remark, Scarlett, who’s set to shine in the upcoming summer smash hit Jurassic World: Rebirth, shared a humorous anecdote about her past encounters with stand-ins for special effects. During filming, she humorously mentioned that she spent considerable time performing alongside a tennis ball balanced on a stick instead of the CGI dinosaurs that would eventually appear on screen.

She mentioned that some individuals have expressed dissatisfaction towards AI in movie production, and rightfully so. However, during the making of ‘Jurassic World’, she worked with a tennis ball as a prop for four months, not everything from that period was entirely genuine.

Jurassic World: Resurgence is set to grace cinema screens starting from July 2, promising an unforgettable spectacle that will undeniably dominate the summer movie scene.

Starring alongside Scarlett is Wicked and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey.

In the second preview for the upcoming movie, it starts off featuring Scarlett playing the role of Zora Bennett, a proficient undercover agent.

As they make their way to the tropical island, the location of past movies, she is audible giving warnings to the others.

‘The theme park owners did experimental work,’ she says. ‘Leaving only the worst ones here.’

To accomplish the highly classified operation, it is essential that they securely acquire and return the genetic samples from the deadliest and colossal dinosaurs Earth has known, having been further terrifyingly enhanced through genetic manipulation by the scientists involved in the previous Jurassic Park project.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I found myself on a boat, sailing towards the island with my heart pounding in anticipation. The moment we stepped foot on this mysterious land, a spine-tingling roar echoed ominously in the distance. I knew that whatever lay ahead was not for the faint of heart – it was the ultimate showdown against the most terrifying dinosaurs left here, as teased by the rapid bursts of text flashing across the screen, confirming my suspicions.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself often saying that we’ve stepped out of our comfort zone and ventured into unfamiliar territory, much like Dr. Henry Loomis expresses to Bailey in some instances. To put it bluntly, the odds of making it through this journey are slim, but survival is always a possibility if we stay resilient and adaptable.

She replies: ‘That’s kind of our specialty.’

The film takes place five years following the release of the 2022 Jurassic World Dominion movie, where Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill were some of the notable stars featured in an impressive ensemble cast.

‘Five years following the incidents of Jurassic World Dominion, it appears that Earth’s environment is mostly unsuitable for dinosaurs.’

The ones that are left inhabit secluded tropical regions, mirroring the climate where they originally flourished.

In the heart of this tropical ecosystem, reside the three largest beings. These giants harbor secrets that could unlock a life-saving medication, bringing extraordinary health advantages to humanity.

In addition to the prominent actors, you’ll find Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, Ed Skrein, and several others on the roster.

The newest and latest franchise film was directed by Gareth Edwards.

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2025-06-29 19:03

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