You probably remember the drama. It was May 2024, and the internet was losing its collective mind over a voice called Sky. OpenAI had just demoed their new GPT-4o model, and the AI sounded… well, it sounded like a Hollywood star. Specifically, it sounded like Scarlett Johansson’s character from the movie Her.
Suddenly, everyone was obsessed with Sky the voice gender, her identity, and why she sounded so flirty.
But behind the headlines and the legal threats, there’s a much weirder story about how we gender AI and why we’re so desperate to put a human face (and a human gender) on a pile of code. OpenAI says Sky isn't Scarlett. Scarlett says she’s "shocked and angered." Users just want their favorite voice back. Honestly, it’s a mess.
Is Sky Actually Female?
Technically, no. AI doesn't have a biological sex or a personal gender identity. It’s a series of mathematical weights and biases. But practically? Sky is female.
OpenAI cast a professional voice actress to create Sky. While the company keeps her name a secret to protect her privacy, they’ve confirmed she is a "different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice."
The "Her" Comparison
The reason the gender of this voice became such a flashpoint is the cultural baggage. In the movie Her, Johansson plays Samantha, an AI that a man falls in love with. When OpenAI’s Sam Altman tweeted the single word "Her" on the day of the GPT-4o launch, he basically invited the world to gender Sky as a female digital companion.
It wasn't just about the pitch of the voice. It was the vibe. Sky was:
- Giddy.
- Playful.
- Breathy.
- Super responsive.
Critics argued this wasn't just a "female" voice; it was a performance of a specific type of subservient, flirty womanhood that tech has been leaning on for decades. Think Siri, Alexa, and Cortana. We’ve been conditioned to expect our "assistants" to sound like helpful women.
Why We Care About the Gender of a Bot
Why does it matter if a bot sounds like a woman or a man? Research from places like Johns Hopkins and various linguistic studies shows that humans respond differently to gendered tones. We tend to perceive female voices as "warmer" and "more nurturing," while male voices are often coded as "authoritative."
OpenAI claimed they wanted a voice that was "timeless" and "confidence-inspiring." For many users, Sky hit that mark perfectly. She didn't sound like a robot; she sounded like a person you’d actually want to talk to.
But that’s exactly where the trouble started. If you make an AI sound too much like a specific woman—especially one who already said "no" to the job—you run into massive ethical and legal walls.
The Scarlett Johansson Controversy Explained
Here is the factual timeline of what went down with Sky’s "gender" and identity:
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- September 2023: Sam Altman reaches out to Scarlett Johansson, asking her to voice ChatGPT. She says no.
- Early 2024: OpenAI hires a different actress (Sky) through a casting process that involved over 400 submissions.
- May 2024: OpenAI demos GPT-4o. The world hears Sky and immediately thinks it's ScarJo.
- The Tweet: Altman tweets "Her."
- The Takedown: Johansson’s lawyers send letters. OpenAI "reluctantly" pauses the voice.
OpenAI insists that Sky’s voice is the actress’s natural speaking voice and wasn't intended to mimic anyone. But the damage was done. The "gender" of Sky became synonymous with a specific celebrity likeness.
What Happened to the Other Voices?
OpenAI didn't just have Sky. They have a whole stable of voices, and they all have different gender presentations and personalities. If you’re looking for a specific "feel," here’s how the others usually break down:
- Juniper: Feminine, often described as professional, bright, and articulate.
- Breeze: Often perceived as more androgynous or "gender-neutral" by some users, though it leans feminine/bright.
- Cove: Masculine, deep, and steady.
- Ember: Masculine, but with a bit more "energy" or "wonder" in the tone.
- Arbor: A newer addition that feels more "mysterious" and deep.
Most people who loved Sky didn't care about the gender politics. They just liked the "rich tone" and the "warmth." When Sky was pulled, a lot of users felt like they’d lost a friend. It sounds dramatic, but people get attached to these personas.
The Future of "Genderless" AI
Some experts argue we should stop gendering AI altogether. There are projects like "Q," which is a gender-neutral voice created by shifting frequencies to a range that humans don't immediately categorize as male or female.
OpenAI hasn't gone that route yet. They seem to prefer the "human-like" approach because it drives engagement. People talk more to something that feels alive. And in our world, "alive" usually means having a gender.
Actionable Takeaways for Users
If you're trying to navigate the current state of ChatGPT voices or you're curious about where Sky went, here's the deal:
- Sky is still "paused." As of early 2026, the original Sky voice remains unavailable in the official app due to the ongoing legal sensitivity.
- Check for New Additions. OpenAI regularly updates their voice library. Look for voices like "Sol" or "Vale" if you’re looking for a replacement that has that same "natural" feel without the celebrity baggage.
- Adjust the Tone. If you find the current feminine voices too "bubbly" or the masculine ones too "stiff," you can actually tell ChatGPT in the "Custom Instructions" to speak in a more professional, deadpan, or even "robotic" way. The model's personality is separate from the voice's pitch.
- Watch the Legislation. The Sky controversy is actually sparking new laws about "Digital Likeness." Keep an eye on how these rules will eventually define what a "gendered" AI can and cannot sound like.
Basically, Sky became the face (or the voice) of a much bigger debate about consent and the "feminization" of digital labor. Whether she ever comes back or not, she changed how we think about the gender of the machines in our pockets.
To get the most out of your AI interactions now, experiment with the "Neutral" or "Professional" tone settings in your app. This can help strip away some of the "flirty" or "subservient" layers that caused so much friction with the Sky persona, allowing you to focus on the actual utility of the tool.