Artificial intelligence has been a subject of fascination in Hollywood for decades, shaping our expectations of how machines should talk and interact. Now, A.I. developers are taking inspiration from these cinematic portrayals to create voices for real machines that mimic those fictional characters.
Last month, OpenAI introduced upgrades to its chatbot, ChatGPT, giving it a more naturalistic voice reminiscent of Scarlett Johansson’s character in the movie “Her.” The voice, named Sky, was designed to be soothing, agreeable, and slightly seductive. This choice sparked controversy, as Johansson found the similarity unsettling, leading to a petition to bring back the original voice.
While A.I. creators aim to highlight the human-like capabilities of their tools, these synthetic voices are built on outdated stereotypes. Sky represents OpenAI’s ambitions but is rooted in the idea of an empathetic and compliant female A.I. similar to past Hollywood depictions.
From the feminized voices of virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to the masculine tones of HAL 9000 from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” gender stereotypes have influenced how we perceive A.I. voices. These voices, though artificial, evoke a nostalgic, retro-futuristic charm that appeals to users.
Even as voice technology advances, the artificial quality persists, creating a unique atmosphere in human-machine interactions. Platforms like TikTok have embraced text-to-speech features, adding a creative dimension to voice technology through simulated voices like “Jessie,” perpetuating a trend of fictional voice personas.
Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal in “Her” challenges these stereotypes by giving Samantha’s character depth and complexity. The development of A.I. voices, like Sky, aims to bridge the gap between humans and technology, providing comfort and familiarity in our interactions with intelligent machines.
Technological advancements have enabled companies like OpenAI to create increasingly lifelike virtual assistants, blurring the lines between human and machine voices. These voices, whether feminine, masculine, or gender-neutral, strive to inspire trust and ease the transition to a more A.I.-integrated future.
Ultimately, the quest for the perfect A.I. voice mirrors society’s evolving relationship with technology. As we navigate this new frontier, the voices we hear may shape how we perceive and interact with artificial intelligence.
Produced by Tala Safie
Audio via Warner Bros., OpenAI, Paramount Pictures, Apple, TikTok
