New ChatGPT ditches “Scarlett Johansson” sounding voice after actress’s criticism
OpenAI has been forced the scrap one of the voices for the latest version of ChatGPT after accusations it sounds eerily similar to Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.
The Black Widow actress told reporters she was “angered” after commentators compared the chatbot’s “Sky” voice to Johansson’s in the 2013 film Her.
OpenAI said it would remove the voice, denying that it was an imitation of the star, who had previously turned down an approach to work with the company.
In a statement seen by the BBC, Johansson accused the company and its founder, Sam Altman, of deliberately copying her voice.
“When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine,” the twice Oscar-nominated actress wrote.
NewsCorp strikes OpenAI partnership
NewsCorp has become the latest publisher to strike a deal with OpenAI to help train ChatGPT using its archive of news articles.
The agreement means ChatGPT will be able to train itself to leverage content from NewsCorp’s stable of titles — including The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, The Times, The Sun, The Australian, The Courier Mail, and the Herald Sun.
OpenAI will display content from NewsCorp in response to user questions while also learning and developing ChatGPT and its other AI models by leveraging NewsCorp’s reporting. This follows similar deals with the Financial Times, Axel Springer, and the Associated Press.
“Our partnership with NewsCorp is a proud moment for journalism and technology,” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said in a release. “We greatly value News Corp’s history as a leader in reporting breaking news around the world and are excited to enhance our users’ access to its high-quality reporting.”
Amazon eyes Alexa AI subscription
Speaking of generative AI, Amazon is reportedly set to launch its own offering later this year, charging a subscription for the upgraded Alexa AI.
According to CNBC, the more conversational version of Alexa will launch later in 2024.
Amazon has yet to decide how much to charge for the tier, but it won’t be included in the standard Prime subscription.
Amazon has reportedly carried out user testing with over 15,000 customers, codenaming the project Remarkable Alexa, but the retail giant hasn’t commented on its plans.
As of the end of 2023, Amazon had sold more than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices worldwide.
UK conducts first flight using quantum navigation technology
A UK aircraft has successfully tested quantum technology that aims to overcome jamming tools that could impact standard GPS navigation systems.
Quantum technology company Infleqtion led the trial at the military testing site Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England, alongside BAE Systems and QinetiQ.
A group of government and industry representatives, including the UK’s Science Minister Andrew Griffith, were onboard the BAE Systems RJ100 tech demonstrator flight.
The test, which was carried out in partnership with the British government, is believed to be the first publicly acknowledged use of quantum.
Griffith said the test flights were “further proof of the UK as one of the world leaders on quantum.”
He added: “From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation systems that are accurate, safe, and secure. The scientific research we are supporting here on quantum technology could well provide the resilience to protect our interests.”
BT delays PSTN shutdown deadline until 2027
BT has once again extended the deadline for migrating customers off its copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to digital landlines after warnings that it could put elderly and vulnerable users at risk.
The switch was paused at the end of last year over concerns that some telehealth services would stop working properly once the network was shut down, with several devices failing during tests.
The British incumbent had planned to switch customers to IP services at the end of next year but now plans to transition businesses and consumers off of the analogue system by the end of 2027.
“The revised approach will result in a single switch for the majority of customers (businesses and consumers) — from copper to fibre — with all customers now expected to have moved off the old analogue PSTN by the end of January 2027,” said BT.
