Scarlett Johansson is raising concerns about the use of artificial intelligence and its impact on celebrity rights. The actress recently spoke out after discovering that her likeness and voice were used without her permission in an AI project. This incident has made her question how celebrities can protect themselves in a world where technology is rapidly advancing.
Last year, Johansson was approached by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, to voice an AI chatbot named "Sky." She declined the offer, but soon after, many noticed that the chatbot’s voice sounded strikingly like hers. This prompted Johansson to express her discomfort, stating, “If that can happen to me, how are we going to protect ourselves from this?” She emphasized that there are no clear boundaries in this area, leaving celebrities vulnerable.
In a statement to NPR, Johansson described her reaction to the AI’s voice demo as one of shock and anger. She pointed out that the resemblance was so close that even her friends and media outlets struggled to tell the difference. Altman later tweeted a reference to Johansson’s role in the film "Her," where she voiced an AI, further complicating the situation.
Following the release of "Sky," Johansson’s legal team reached out to OpenAI for clarification on how the chatbot’s voice was created. OpenAI eventually agreed to discontinue using that voice in their products. Altman later clarified that the voice was not intended to imitate Johansson’s and that they had cast the voice actor before contacting her.
Johansson has become a reluctant spokesperson on AI issues but is determined to stand her ground. She believes that after years in Hollywood, she has earned the right to speak out for herself. In recent months, she has also taken legal action against an AI image-generating app for using her likeness and voice without consent.
Johansson’s situation is not isolated. Other celebrities, like Steve Harvey, are also taking steps to protect their images and voices from unauthorized use. Harvey has partnered with an AI licensing platform to help safeguard his brand and prevent scams. Similarly, Celine Dion has warned fans about unauthorized AI-generated music circulating under her name.
As AI technology continues to evolve, the challenge of protecting personal likenesses and voices is becoming more pressing. Johansson’s experience highlights the need for clearer laws and protections for celebrities in the digital age.