Scarlett Johansson, a familiar face in Hollywood, has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to seamlessly embody various movie characters. In her latest film “Her,” she captivated audiences with her portrayal of a feminine AI virtual assistant, showcasing a surprising blend of friendliness and romance that left viewers intrigued.
Setting aside the film’s narrative, let’s delve into a recent development concerning AI and its potential cyber threats.
Reports emerged a few months back that Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, approached Scarlett Johansson to lend her voice to ChatGPT 4.0, codenamed Sky. Despite her reservations about the advancement of robotics and AI technology, Johansson politely declined the offer on two occasions.
However, Johansson’s stance shifted earlier this month when she began receiving numerous calls from friends and family members regarding an AI assistant named Hello ChatGPT4o, which uncannily resembled the character Samantha from “Her.”
Initially skeptical, Johansson became increasingly convinced when she listened to audio clips forwarded by her acquaintances, realizing that her voice had been mimicked by the AI assistant. This revelation sparked concerns about the potential ramifications for her career and personal life.
To some, the notion of a cyber threat against an actress may seem obscure. Yet, consider the possibilities: malicious individuals could exploit the AI voice to coerce friends or family members into sending money to fraudulent accounts or extort them for ransom, a tactic commonly associated with Vishing.
In response to Johansson’s concerns, her representative Marcel Pariseau reached out to Sam Altman. Altman and his team clarified that the voice in question was provided by another professional and was never intended to replicate or mimic Johansson’s voice. While expressing regret if the Academy Award-winning actress felt offended by the resemblance, Altman did not concede to replacing the voice with that of another female artist.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
