House Committee Selects Scarlett Johansson to Investigate Artificial Intelligence

A congressional subcommittee has extended an invitation to acclaimed Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson to testify on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, with a specific focus on OpenAI’s ChatGPT assistant Sky, as reported by The Hill.

Johansson, known for her roles in hit movies like “Black Widow” and “Her,” has been asked to share her insights on July 9 at a hearing conducted by the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation.

Congresswoman Nancy Mace, leading the subcommittee, emphasized the importance of providing Johansson a platform to voice her concerns to Congress, highlighting the significance of educating the public about deepfakes. The hearing under Mace’s leadership aims to tackle various issues related to the uses and potential misuses of deepfake technology.

The invitation to Johansson comes in the wake of her recent remarks regarding OpenAI’s ChatGPT assistant, Sky.

In a statement last month, Johansson expressed her surprise and disapproval upon hearing the AI’s voice, which she found strikingly similar to her own. Despite declining a previous offer from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to contribute her voice to an AI assistant, Johansson was taken aback by the resemblance between her voice and the one utilized in the ChatGPT’s demonstration.

OpenAI, on the other hand, denied any deliberate attempt to mimic Johansson’s voice with its Sky assistant and refuted the allegations of replication.

Although Johansson was unable to attend the scheduled House subcommittee hearing in July due to international commitments, the ongoing dialogue on the ethical and societal implications of AI and deepfake technology is expected to continue.

Despite her absence, the upcoming session remains poised to deliver valuable insights from experts and stakeholders as policymakers navigate the complex terrain of AI regulation and oversight.