OpenAI’s artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, GPT-4o, has been a topic of discussion on the internet due to its voice that sounds remarkably similar to Samantha, a virtual assistant voiced by Scarlett Johansson in the movie Her. Some tech experts have criticized this similarity, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman participated in the online comparisons by referencing the film himself.
Despite the controversy, the unique voice of GPT-4o has inspired a host of alternate voice suggestions. A popular idea amongst fans is to have the AI voice acted by characters from highly popular films or series.
For instance, using the voice of iconic Star Wars character Jar Jar Binks could bring a playful angle to the AI assistant. Likewise, the legendary actor Christopher Walken could bring his vast wealth of characterization experience to add a different flair. His roles in many sci-fi films and his charismatic presence make him an interesting prospect.
TikTok star Nara Smith, known for her aesthetically appealing videos and unique voice, has also been suggested as a potential voice for GPT-4o. The idea here is that Smith’s soothing voice combined with her influence on TikTok could make the AI assistant more user-friendly and relatable.
Other potential candidates include Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Tanya McQuoid, from the HBO series The White Lotus, and ‘The Voice’ in Dune. Tanya McQuoid’s character could bring a lovable eccentricity to GPT-4o, whilst ‘The Voice’ from Dune could lend an otherworldly and compelling tone to the AI.
Lastly, the British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, renowned for his captivating narration of nature documentaries, could bring an educational and intelligent edge to the AI assistant’s voice.
While all of these suggestions are playful and fun, they do highlight a broader discussion regarding the customization and personalization of AI voices. AI developers are now facing the challenge of creating AI that appeals to a wide range of users while avoiding bad stereotypes or offensive comparisons.
