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OpenAI Apologises To Johansson, Denies Voice Based On Her

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OpenAI chief Sam Altman apologized Tuesday to Scarlett Johansson after the movie star said she was “shocked” by a new synthetic voice released by the ChatGPT-maker, but he insisted the voice was not based on hers.

 

At issue is “Sky,” a voice OpenAI featured last week in the release of its more humanlike GPT-4o artificial intelligence technology.

 

 

In a demo, Sky was at times flirtatious and funny, seamlessly jumping from one topic to the next, unlike most existing chatbots.

 

The technology — and sound of the voice — quickly drew similarities to the Johansson-voiced AI character in the 2013 film “Her.”

 

Altman has previously pointed to the Spike Jonze-directed movie — a cautionary tale about the future in which a man falls in love with an AI chatbot — as inspiration for where he would like AI interactions to go.

 

He furthered speculation last week with a single-word post on X, formerly Twitter, saying “her.”

 

 

“The voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson’s, and it was never intended to resemble hers,” Altman said in a statement on Tuesday in a response to the controversy.

“We cast the voice actor behind Sky’s voice before any outreach to Ms. Johansson.

 

“Out of respect for Ms. Johansson, we have paused using Sky’s voice in our products. We are sorry to Ms. Johansson that we didn’t communicate better.”

 

The statement came after Johansson on Monday expressed outrage, saying she 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 couldn’t tell the difference.”

 

She said Altman had offered in September to hire her to work with OpenAI to create a synthetic voice, saying it might help people engaging with AI, but she declined.

 

Risk team disbanded

 

In a blogpost, the company explained that it began working to cast the voice actors in early 2023, “carefully considering the unique personality of each voice and their appeal to global audiences.”

Some of the characteristics sought were “a voice that feel timeless” and “an approachable voice that inspires trust,” the company said.

 

The five final actors were flown to San Francisco to record in June and July, it said, with their voices launched into ChatGPT last September.

 

“To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents,” OpenAI said.

 

“We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice.”

 

So far in the AI frenzy, most tech giants have been reluctant to overly humanize chatbots and some observers expressed concern that OpenAI’s demo last week had gone too far.

 

Microsoft Vice President Yusuf Mehdi cautioned that AI “should not be human.”

 

“It shouldn’t breathe. You should be able to…understand (it) is AI,” he told AFP.

 

The Johansson dispute came just days after OpenAI admitted it disbanded a team devoted to mitigating the long-term dangers of artificial intelligence.

 

OpenAI began dissolving the so-called “superalignment” group weeks ago, integrating members into other projects and research.

 

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Tinubu To Wife At 66: I’ll Choose Same Road That Led Me To You

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid an intimate tribute to his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

 

He declared that if given another chance to begin life afresh, he would still choose the path that brought them together.

In a personal message marking the First Lady’s 66th birthday today, the President described his wife as his “truest friend and confidante,” recalling the difficult years, sacrifices, and private moments that have defined their journey together.

“If life returned me to the beginning, I would choose the same road that led me to you. Through every mile, my heart has always remained at home with you,” President Tinubu said.

The President, who addressed his wife affectionately as “Oluremi mi,” said she has stood beside him with patience, grace and “uncommon courage” through different seasons of their lives.

He recalled a Yoruba saying: “Ìyàwó rere ni adé oko ree”, meaning “a good wife is her husband’s crown,” stressing that the First Lady has given practical meaning to the expression in his life.

President Tinubu also drew from the biblical Book of Proverbs on the worth of a virtuous woman, saying his wife has remained a source of strength, counsel, and prayer, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

“You have stood by my side through every season. The burdens that were mine to bear often found their way onto your shoulders. The thoughts I could not put into words somehow found their way to you.

“In difficult times, when the future was uncertain, you stayed calm beside me and prayed with me. Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me,” he said.

The President said the First Lady often knew when he needed advice even before he sought it, adding that there had been occasions when her presence alone provided the counsel he needed.

He described her honesty as one of the qualities he had treasured throughout their years together, saying she had never hesitated to tell him uncomfortable truths.

“I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it.

“After a demanding day, you wait until we are alone before telling me what I need to hear. I have always cherished you for that honesty,” he said.

The President also praised his wife for her devotion to their family, saying their children and grandchildren have grown under the influence of her prayers, faith and kindness.

According to him, the imprint of the First Lady’s devotion is evident in their home and in the values their children and grandchildren carry with them.

Turning to her public service and humanitarian activities, President Tinubu said Nigerians have come to know his wife for her compassion, generosity and steadfast faith.

He recalled her humanitarian interventions through the New Era Foundation during their years in Lagos and, more recently, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), saying the programmes have reached young Nigerians, widows, senior citizens and women farmers across the country.

President Tinubu also lauded her advocacy for people affected by tuberculosis and other diseases, describing her as a compassionate advocate for the vulnerable.

“I know the prayers you offer for people whose names you may never know. I also know many whom you have helped without ever meeting them. For you, compassion has never recognised the boundaries of tribe, region or religion,” he said.

Reflecting on their years together, the President said their journey had taught him the true value of having a dependable partner.

“A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner. We have travelled a long road together. I think of the difficult decisions we talked through for hours and the sacrifices no one else saw. Laughter and prayer carried us through many of them,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for their life together, President Tinubu added: “I thank you for the life we have built and the love that has held it together.”

The President prayed for many more years of good health and happiness for the First Lady, wishing that the years ahead would bring her the same comfort and happiness she had given him and others.

“Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi. I pray that God Almighty will grant you many more years in good health and joy.

“May the years ahead bring you the same comfort and happiness you have so freely given to me and many others,” President Tinubu said.

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Son Announces Actor, Olu Jacobs Death At 84

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Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

 

Report says the actor’s son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in a post on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, saying the family was grateful for his life and asking the public to respect their privacy.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo.

“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our families privacy at this time,” he said.

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‘My Husband Is Upset’:Real Warri Pikin Apologises Over Viral Video With Timaya

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Popular comedienne Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Warri Pikin, has apologised following backlash over a viral video featuring her and singer Timaya.

 

The controversy began over the weekend after a clip surfaced showing the comedienne dancing on stage with Timaya in a manner many described as inappropriate for a married woman.

In a video addressing the issue, Warri Pikin accepted full responsibility for her actions and expressed remorse.

She explained that she was backstage enjoying the performance when Timaya invited a woman on stage during his Ukwu song, and, out of excitement, she rushed out.

She said she initially hesitated when asked to jump on the singer but eventually gave in to avoid disrupting his performance.

The comedienne noted that the moment felt entertaining on stage but looked different online, adding that her husband is ‘upset’ about the incident.

She appealed for forgiveness from fans and critics, stressing that the act was out of character and pledging her continued commitment to her marriage.

She wrote, “Area, abeg make Una no vex for me. I take full responsibility, make Una forgive me. Na me do am to myself; I no know say if Timaya dey perform his ‘Ukwu’ song, e dey bring women come outside. I dey backstage dey vibe when I heard him say a woman should come outside, and you know I love anything vibe, hence why I rushed out o. Na me put myself for this one.

“That’s when he told me I would jump on his body, and I said I couldn’t do it. I was very reluctant, but he said I was the one who came outside, so I shouldn’t spoil his performance. It was very funny and entertaining on stage, but online it wasn’t funny. All my online in-laws, they say make I come for the marriage; where Una wan push me go? Ikechukwu now dey vex for me; where una wan put me go?

“I don plast am for the marriage say na till kingdom come. Make Una take it easy on me. Una no dey no person? It’s not in my character. There are times you find yourself in some awkward situation, and yesterday was one of them. I owe you guys this apology because I understand where you’re coming from. Not everything is hate speech. Some people are just genuinely concerned.”

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