David Greene Sues Google Over Alleged Unauthorized Use of His Voice in NotebookLM
David Greene, renowned for his tenure as the host of NPR’s Morning Edition, has initiated legal action against Google, alleging that the male voice utilized in the company’s NotebookLM tool closely mirrors his own. This development was first reported by The Washington Post.
Greene’s suspicions arose when numerous acquaintances, including friends, family, and colleagues, reached out to him, noting the striking similarity between his voice and that of the AI-generated podcast host in NotebookLM. He observed that the voice not only replicated his cadence and intonation but also incorporated his characteristic use of filler words such as uh.
Expressing his concerns, Greene stated, My voice is, like, the most important part of who I am. Currently, he serves as the host of KCRW’s Left, Right, & Center.
NotebookLM, one of Google’s innovative tools, enables users to generate podcasts featuring AI hosts. In response to Greene’s allegations, a Google spokesperson informed The Washington Post that the voice in question is derived from a professional actor hired by the company, asserting that it bears no relation to Greene’s voice.
This lawsuit underscores the growing tensions surrounding the use of AI-generated voices that closely resemble those of real individuals. A notable precedent occurred when OpenAI removed a ChatGPT voice following complaints from actress Scarlett Johansson, who claimed it imitated her own voice.
