Scarlett Johansson Sounds the Alarm on Threat of AI: ‘It’s a Moral Compass’

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Scarlett Johansson continues to express worry over the possible consequences of unchecked artificial intelligence development.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, published on June 28th, Johannson, aged 40, stated, ” frankly, I’m skeptical that the work I do could be handled by AI. I don’t think the emotional depth or authenticity of a performance can ever truly be duplicated.

The actress explained further that although she recognizes certain advantages of the technology, it can potentially distort people’s understanding of reality, a point which she notes is already evident in numerous instances.

She clarified to the media, “Indeed, this tool for filmmaking has advanced significantly, and I’m not convinced that viewers are preoccupied with that aspect. Maybe I’m mistaken, but from a creative perspective, where AI isn’t perceived as a substitute for anything, I don’t foresee it posing a threat.

I passionately expressed, ‘The moment it starts blending truth with illusion, that’s where I draw the line. It’s not just about the grand scheme of things; it’s about preserving the delicate fabric of human trust that keeps our society functioning. It serves as a moral compass. Each day, we venture out into the world, guided by an unspoken agreement on a shared reality. AI, however, seems to undermine this foundation, and that chilling thought lingers deeply within me.’

In the year 2024, Johansson disclosed that she declined an invitation to provide the voice for OpenAI’s ChatGPT character, “Sky,” citing personal matters as her reason for refusal, as reported to Us Weekly.

In September, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, proposed hiring me to lend my voice to ChatGPT 4.0, believing it could ease the divide between tech companies and creatives and make consumers more comfortable with the transition involving humans and AI. He thought my voice would provide a sense of comfort to people. After careful deliberation for personal reasons, I chose not to accept this offer.

Nine months have passed, and everyone, including my friends, family, and the public at large, commented on how strikingly similar the newly unveiled system called ‘Sky’ sounded to me. Upon hearing the demo release, I was taken aback, upset, and found it hard to believe that Mr. Altman would intentionally pursue a voice so remarkably like mine that even my closest friends and media outlets couldn’t distinguish the difference. To add insult to injury, Mr. Altman hinted at the similarity being purposeful, tweeting a single word ‘her’ – a nod to the movie where I lent my voice to Samantha, a chat system who develops an intimate bond with a human character.

As a devoted admirer, I was honored when Altman personally asked me to lend my voice to Sky one more time, right before the announcement.

Two days before the launch of ChatGPT 4.0, Mr. Altman reached out to my representative, urging me to rethink my decision. However, before we could arrange a conversation, the system had already been introduced. This situation necessitated me engaging legal services, who sent two letters to Mr. Altman and OpenAI, detailing their actions and requesting a detailed explanation of how they developed the ‘Sky’ voice. As a result, OpenAI eventually complied and removed the ‘Sky’ voice.

Johansson stated: “Given the current challenges posed by deepfakes and the need for safeguarding personal images, intellectual property, and identity, I firmly advocate for complete understanding on these matters. I eagerly anticipate solutions that promote transparency and the enactment of suitable laws to safeguard individual rights.

On May 19th, OpenAI deactivated Sky. Not long afterwards, the company published a blog post stating that Sky was an actual actress, and not artificially generated.

The statement asserts that AI voices should not intentionally emulate a celebrity’s unique voice, with Sky’s voice being an exception to Scarlett Johansson’s, as it is another actress speaking naturally on her own accord. To preserve the privacy of our voice actors, we are unable to disclose their identities. Since then, she has urged the federal government to take action and impose stricter regulations on AI, particularly focusing on deepfakes.

Scottish actress Scarlett Johansson has been visibly targeted by AI, but she emphasized in a statement to People that the risk of AI impacts everyone, not just her. After a fake video involving her and other celebrities defending Israel during its conflict with Gaza surfaced, she voiced concerns about an enormous wave of advancements in AI that some progressive nations have begun addressing, while the U.S. government seems unable to pass legislation protecting citizens from potential threats posed by AI.

She went on to say, “I strongly advocate for the U.S. administration to prioritize the creation of laws restricting AI usage; this is a matter that transcends party lines and significantly impacts the imminent destiny of mankind as a whole.

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2025-06-30 01:54