The use of virtual voice assistants — like Siri, from Apple; and Alexa, from Amazon — is an increasingly common technological resource for users of online tools. However, the possibility of similarities between these voices and those of real people has generated debate about this type of service. But like the ChatGPT choose your virtual voices?
Last Monday (20), the OpenAIthe company that owns ChatGPT, informed that it would suspend the use of the voice assistant Sky (one of the chatbot’s five voices) due to its similarity with the voice of the American actress Scarlett Johansson39. The actress herself even said that she was irritated by the situation.
To deal with the criticism, in addition to suspending the use of Sky (but maintaining the Breeze, Cove, Ember and Juniper), OpenAI published an article on its website denying the intention to imitate the actress’s voice and explaining how virtual voices are chosen and created.
“We believe that AI voices [inteligência artificial] they should not deliberately imitate a celebrity’s distinctive voice – Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson, but belongs to a different professional actress, using her own natural voice.
To create the five voices currently on ChatGPT (including Sky), the company partnered with award-winning casting directors and producers, which led to OpenAI receiving applications from 400 actors and voice actors who intended to put their voices on the system — five were chosen.
The choice of each of them, according to the company, was based on the observation of five characteristics:
- Actors from different origins or who spoke several languages;
- Voice that seemed timeless;
- Accessible voice that inspires confidence;
- Warm, engaging, inspiring, charismatic voice with a rich tone;
- Natural and easy-to-listen voice.
The publication, however, does not detail the decision criteria for observing these characteristics.
Despite the controversy with Scarlett Johansson, OpenAI also says that it plans to introduce more voices to ChatGPT, with the aim of increasingly serving its users. “Looking to the future, you can expect even more options,” he concludes.
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