OpenAI’s ‘Sky’ Voice Resembles Scarlett Johansson’s, Study Finds

In a recent study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University, OpenAI’s now-discontinued GPT-4o voice assistant “Sky” has been found to bear a significant resemblance to the voice of actress Scarlett Johansson.

NPR commissioned the analysis, which utilized AI models to compare Sky’s voice to those of around 600 actresses. The results showed that Johansson’s voice was more similar to Sky’s than 98% of the other voices analyzed.

Key findings from the voice analysis:

• Scarlett Johansson’s voice was more similar to Sky’s than 98% of the 600 actresses studied.
• Anne Hathaway and Keri Russell’s voices were identified as having an even closer resemblance to Sky’s than Johansson’s.
• Sky’s voice had a slightly higher pitch and was more expressive than Johansson’s, while Johansson’s voice was slightly more breathy.
• The analysis suggested that Sky’s and Johansson’s vocal tracts would have identical lengths.

The study’s leader, Professor Visar Berisha, clarified that while Johansson’s voice shares similarities with Sky, it is unlikely they are identical.

OpenAI has yet to comment on the analysis, and both CEO Sam Altman and CTO Mira Murati have denied any intention of making Sky sound like Johansson.

The controversy surrounding the similarity between Sky’s voice and Johansson’s has been ongoing since OpenAI unveiled GPT-4o earlier this month.

Johansson has accused OpenAI of copying her voice, claiming that Altman approached her in September 2023 to voice the ChatGPT system, which she declined.

OpenAI maintains that Sky’s voice belongs to a different professional actress using her natural speaking voice.In conclusion, the voice analysis conducted by Arizona State University researchers has added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the similarity between OpenAI’s ‘Sky’ voice and Scarlett Johansson’s distinctive voice.

While OpenAI denies any intentional imitation, the study’s findings suggest an undeniable resemblance between the two voices. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how OpenAI will address the issue and move forward with its voice assistant technology.

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