NPR Host David Greene Sues Google Over AI Voice in NotebookLM
▼ Summary
– David Greene, former host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” is suing Google, alleging its NotebookLM AI podcast voice is based on his.
– Greene claims the voice replicates his distinctive cadence, intonation, and use of filler words like “uh,” which he considers central to his identity.
– Google denies the claim, stating the male voice in NotebookLM is based on a paid professional actor they hired.
– The lawsuit highlights a growing area of dispute over AI voices that resemble real people without their consent.
– A similar incident occurred when OpenAI removed a ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson complained it imitated her.
A prominent public radio host has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant Google, claiming its artificial intelligence tool uses a synthetic voice that unmistakably mimics his own. David Greene, the former longtime host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” alleges that the male podcast voice featured in Google’s NotebookLM product is based directly on his distinctive vocal characteristics. The legal action highlights the growing tensions between creative professionals and AI developers over the unauthorized digital replication of personal attributes.
Greene explained that he first became aware of the issue after receiving numerous messages from friends, family, and colleagues. They all pointed out the uncanny similarity between the AI-generated voice and his own, noting specific patterns in its delivery. He grew convinced that the synthetic speech was not just a generic male voice but a precise imitation of his unique cadence, intonation, and even his habitual use of filler words such as “uh.” For someone whose career is built on vocal presence, this replication felt like a profound violation. “My voice is, like, the most important part of who I am,” stated Greene, who currently hosts the KCRW program “Left, Right, & Center.”
Google’s NotebookLM is an AI-powered research assistant that, among its various functions, allows users to create audio summaries or podcasts using AI-generated narrators. In response to the allegations, a company spokesperson firmly denied any connection to Greene, telling The Washington Post that the voice in question was developed independently. “The sound of the male voice in NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews is based on a paid professional actor Google hired,” the spokesperson asserted, distancing the product from any intentional imitation.
This case is far from an isolated incident in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI. It joins a series of high-profile disputes where individuals have accused AI companies of co-opting their likeness or voice without permission. In a particularly notable example earlier this year, OpenAI removed a voice option from its ChatGPT service following public objections from actress Scarlett Johansson. She argued that the “Sky” voice bore an unsettling resemblance to her own, echoing concerns shared by many in the entertainment and media industries about consent and compensation in the age of AI synthesis.
(Source: TechCrunch)
