Sigal Samuel, a senior reporter for Vox's Future Perfect, discusses the implications of OpenAI's latest ChatGPT demo resembling Scarlett Johansson's voice. They delve into the ethical concerns of intellectual property, human likeness, and potential legal disputes over unauthorized use of identities by AI technology.
OpenAI's GPT-40 AI system's voice replication raised ethical concerns regarding intellectual property and human likeness rights.
OpenAI's shift to a commercial focus under Sam Altman raised doubts about the company's commitment to AI ethics and safety.
Deep dives
AI Voice Controversy: Scarlett Johansson Accuses OpenAI of Cloning Her Voice
OpenAI released GPT-40, an AI system capable of natural dialogue with users, prompting comparisons to Scarlett Johansson's voice in the movie 'Her'. Johansson alleged that OpenAI replicated her voice without consent after negotiations to hire her fell through. OpenAI faced criticism for the AI's striking resemblance to Johansson's voice and decided to remove it.
OpenAI's Shift to Profit Focus and Ethical Concerns
OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, shifted from a non-profit to a commercial focus under his leadership, emphasizing profit and product development over AI safety. The departure of the safety-oriented 'Super Alignment' team raised concerns about OpenAI's dedication to addressing human and ethical risks associated with advanced AI. Employees expressed distrust in Altman's leadership and the company's evolving priorities.
Public Perception and Challenges Ahead for OpenAI
OpenAI faced a negative shift in public opinion following controversies, including the Scarlett Johansson voice cloning incident. Altman's manipulated public persona and OpenAI's PR strategies raised skepticism among the public. The company's response to ethical concerns and the departure of safety-focused employees has raised doubts about OpenAI's commitment to AI ethics and safety, leaving them with the burden of rebuilding trust and transparency.
When OpenAI showed a demo for the latest version of ChatGPT —the one that you can chat with, you know, with your voice—one of the voices sounded eerily familiar. And instead of a victory lap, it was a reminder of all of the implications for intellectual property and one’s own basic human likeness that this technology carries with it.
Guest: Sigal Samuel, senior reporter for Vox's Future Perfect and co-host of the Future Perfect podcast.
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