Scarlett Johansson is threatening legal action against OpenAI, alleging that the company copied her voice for its latest AI system, GPT-4. Johansson, known for voicing an AI assistant in the 2013 film "Her," claims she turned down an offer from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to voice their AI system. Despite this, the newly released AI, named "Sky," bears a striking resemblance to her voice, prompting Johansson to take legal steps.

In a statement provided to The Washington Post by her publicist, Johansson detailed how Altman approached her in September, believing her voice would bridge the gap between tech companies and the public, making AI more relatable. However, after declining the offer, Johansson was shocked to discover that "Sky" sounded eerily similar to her, with even her close friends and news outlets noting the resemblance.

Two days before the GPT-4 demo, Altman contacted Johansson's agent, urging her to reconsider. However, before they could reconnect, the system was launched, leading Johansson to hire legal counsel. Her lawyers sent letters to Altman and OpenAI, demanding an explanation of how "Sky" was developed. As a result, OpenAI agreed to cease using the "Sky" voice.

Johansson emphasized the importance of transparency and appropriate legislation to protect individual rights in the era of AI and deepfakes. OpenAI has yet to respond to requests for comment.