Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

The Onion’s “Jerky, 7-Fingered Scarlett Johansson Appears In Video To Express Full-Fledged Approval Of OpenAI” is a fabricated endorsement, not a real video or a statement by Johansson. Its joke works by turning the dispute over ChatGPT’s Sky voice into an exaggerated image of a visibly fake celebrity endorsement.

What The Onion’s headline is mocking

Futurism’s May 24, 2024 article highlighted The Onion headline: “Jerky, 7-Fingered Scarlett Johansson Appears In Video To Express Full-Fledged Approval Of OpenAI.” The deliberately awkward movement, extra finger, and implausible approval are cues to the satire. The headline does not document a video featuring Johansson, nor does it indicate that she endorsed OpenAI.

The joke lands because it treats the voice controversy as an endorsement so artificial and unconvincing that even the image of Johansson would appear visibly broken. It turns a dispute over whether an AI voice resembles a person into an absurd, imagined public-relations moment.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Why Johansson and OpenAI were in conflict

Futurism reported that OpenAI introduced GPT-4o with several voice options, including Sky, and that observers said Sky sounded similar to Johansson. Johansson said OpenAI had approached her about licensing her voice and that she declined. She described her reaction this way: “I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference.”

OpenAI’s reported response was that Sky was voiced by another actress and that the company had not copied Johansson’s voice. Those are the parties’ competing accounts as reported by Futurism; that article does not independently establish who voiced Sky, whether the voice was intentionally modeled on Johansson, or whether she consented to its use.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What Sam Altman’s “her” post meant—and what is known

Futurism also noted that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted the single word “her” on the GPT-4o launch date. The article interpreted it as a likely reference to Johansson’s role in the film Her, whose AI character is voiced by Johansson. That reading is an inference about Altman’s intent, not a verified explanation from him.

The source explains the immediate controversy and The Onion’s joke, but it does not settle questions of legal liability or establish a court outcome. Its account should not be treated as an independent finding about voice identity, intent, or consent.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Source

Futurism, May 24, 2024

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.