Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Entertainment Law & FinanceFeaturesArtificial IntelligenceEntertainment and Sports LawLitigation

Lawyers' Views on Voice Dust-Up Between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI

By Isha Marathe
June 01, 2024

Actress Scarlett Johansson has threatened the generative software company OpenAI with legal action. And intellectual property lawyers have many thoughts about who might win, whether there's even a legal claim to be made and what it all means.

Here's a quick rundown of what happened: In May, Johansson released a statement to NPR, saying that Sam Altman, OpenAI's founder and CEO, had approached her multiple times to lend her voice to the AI developer's newest voice assistant. According to her statement, she rejected the offers.

Then two days before the release of GPT-4o, OpenAI's new multi-modal large language model, which includes a default voice assistant named "Sky," Altman purportedly asked Johansson to reconsider. Before she could answer, however, GPT-4o — a model able to accept text, audio, image and video and to generate any combination of text, audio and image output — was released on May 13, along with the "Sky" voice, which many instantly assumed to be Johansson's. It was specifically reminiscent of the 2013 Spike Jonze movie Her, which incidentally is the story of a heartbroken man who falls in love with an AI-powered operating system, named Samantha, voiced by Johansson (in a movie where she, notably, does not appear onscreen).

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Overview of Regulatory Guidance Governing the Use of AI Systems In the Workplace Image

Businesses have long embraced the use of computer technology in the workplace as a means of improving efficiency and productivity of their operations. In recent years, businesses have incorporated artificial intelligence and other automated and algorithmic technologies into their computer systems. This article provides an overview of the federal regulatory guidance and the state and local rules in place so far and suggests ways in which employers may wish to address these developments with policies and practices to reduce legal risk.

Is Google Search Dead? How AI Is Reshaping Search and SEO Image

This two-part article dives into the massive shifts AI is bringing to Google Search and SEO and why traditional searches are no longer part of the solution for marketers. It’s not theoretical, it’s happening, and firms that adapt will come out ahead.

While Federal Legislation Flounders, State Privacy Laws for Children and Teens Gain Momentum Image

For decades, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act has been the only law to expressly address privacy for minors’ information other than student data. In the absence of more robust federal requirements, states are stepping in to regulate not only the processing of all minors’ data, but also online platforms used by teens and children.

Revolutionizing Workplace Design: A Perspective from Gray Reed Image

In an era where the workplace is constantly evolving, law firms face unique challenges and opportunities in facilities management, real estate, and design. Across the industry, firms are reevaluating their office spaces to adapt to hybrid work models, prioritize collaboration, and enhance employee experience. Trends such as flexible seating, technology-driven planning, and the creation of multifunctional spaces are shaping the future of law firm offices.

From DeepSeek to Distillation: Protecting IP In An AI World Image

Protection against unauthorized model distillation is an emerging issue within the longstanding theme of safeguarding intellectual property. This article examines the legal protections available under the current legal framework and explore why patents may serve as a crucial safeguard against unauthorized distillation.