The star was honoured for her vocal stand against the unauthorised use of AI to replicate her voice, image and likenesses. The list, which honours AI pioneers, regulators, and campaigners, includes those advocating for stricter regulations to prevent the spread of non-consensual AI-generated images and deepfakes.
Johansson’s inclusion comes after her public battle with OpenAI, which escalated when the company allegedly released a voice eerily similar to hers for their chatbot, ChatGPT, despite her refusal to collaborate. Johansson’s legal team swiftly addressed the issue, demanding the removal of the voice.
Although OpenAI denied any wrongdoing, claiming the voice belonged to another actor, the company eventually took down the bot following backlash. Johansson’s case has highlighted broader concerns about protecting identities in an age of rampant AI replication, with TIME describing her as “the most prominent public figure in a rising contingent voicing concerns about the company’s growth and safety tactics.”
In response to the incident, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz called for stricter regulation, introducing a bill aimed at educating the public on identifying deepfakes and ensuring the protection of individuals’ voices and likenesses in the digital age. Johansson’s advocacy underscores the growing need for legal safeguards as AI continues to advance.
The only other actor to also feature on the list was Bollywood star Anil Kapoor, who has also been a vocal critic of AI misusing celebrity likenesses. He was honoured for raising awareness about the ethical implications of deepfake technology. The actor won a landmark victory in the Delhi high court over the unauthorized AI use of his likeness.
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