Veteran NPR Host David Greene Sues Google NotebookLM of Voice Copy
Veteran NPR host David Greene is suing Google, claiming its NotebookLM AI podcast voice closely resembles his own without permission, raising urgent questions about AI voice rights and consent.
Former NPR Morning Edition Host David Greene, also the current Left, Right & Center presenter,has sued Alphabet Inc.’s Google in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
He claims the male synthetic voice in Google’s NotebookLM AI tool mirrors his distinctive broadcasting voice without consent or compensation. The lawsuit spotlights AI training, voice rights, and platform transparency amid growing global scrutiny.
Greene’s Claims and Legal Basis
According to The Washington Post, Greene noticed the resemblance after friends and colleagues asked if he had licensed his voice to Google.
Greene described hearing the AI voice as “completely freaked out,” noting its cadence, intonation, and verbal quirks sounded strikingly like his own. He argues his voice is central to his professional identity, and its replication without consent could harm his reputation.
According to The Washington Post, Greene noticed the resemblance after friends and colleagues asked if he had licensed his voice to Google.
Greene described hearing the generative AI voice as “completely freaked out,” noting its cadence, intonation, and verbal quirks sounded strikingly like his own. He argues his voice is central to his professional identity, and its replication without consent could harm his reputation.
Google responded that the AI voice comes from a professional actor contracted by the company, not from Greene’s recordings. The lawsuit cites forensic audio analysis showing notable similarity, though Greene’s team emphasizes the case focuses on perceived likeness and consent rather than the specific training data used.
Google’s Response and Industry Context
TechCrunch reports Google denies the allegations, reiterating that NotebookLM’s male voice was produced by a contracted actor and is distinct from Greene’s. NotebookLM, built on Google’s Gemini AI, generates podcast-style summaries with two AI voices.
This case follows other industry disputes over AI voice likeness. Previously, complaints from well-known actress Scarlett Johansson led OpenAI to remove a voice that sounded too similar to her real voice. Greene’s lawsuit adds to debates over how AI systems select, synthesize, and present human-like voices, and what legal protections exist when vocal traits are mimicked.
Broader Legal Implications
Other reports from experts note that it is part of a growing legal trend over voice rights. Courts have previously ruled that mimicking a recognizable voice, even via sound-alikes, can infringe on publicity rights if listeners might associate it with the real person.
As AI continues generating human-like speech, courts may decide what degree of similarity is too much and what consent or disclosure is required. The outcome could reshape how companies approach AI voice generation, actor contracts, and consent frameworks in AI development.
Potential Impact on AI and Voice Rights
David Greene’s lawsuit against Google highlights a key frontier in generative AI: who controls and benefits from human-like voices. A victory for Greene could set a precedent for protecting voice likenesses and require stricter consent and transparency in AI voice use.
Regardless of the ruling, the case emphasizes urgent debates about personal rights, innovation, and ethical AI deployment.
