NPR Host Sues Google Over AI Voice That Sounds 'Eerily Like Me'
Radio Veteran Claims AI Stole His Vocal Identity
David Greene, the familiar voice that's greeted millions of NPR listeners during his tenure hosting "Morning Edition," is taking Google to court over what he calls "digital identity theft." The veteran broadcaster alleges that Google's NotebookLM AI note-taking tool features a synthetic male voice that replicates his distinctive speech patterns with unsettling accuracy.
"They Captured My Vocal Fingerprint"
Greene, who now hosts KCRW's "Left, Right & Center," began receiving puzzled messages shortly after NotebookLM launched its podcast feature. "Friends kept asking why I was recording for Google," he told reporters. "When I listened myself, I got chills - it wasn't just similar, it replicated my speech quirks perfectly."
The broadcaster specifically points to subtle vocal trademarks: his characteristic pauses, the way he stresses certain syllables, even his habitual use of filler words like "um." "My voice isn't just sound waves," Greene insists. "It's how audiences have known me for twenty years."
Google Denies Voice Theft Allegations
Google representatives swiftly countered Greene's claims in a statement to The Washington Post. "The NotebookLM voice was recorded by professional actors under standard industry contracts," a spokesperson explained. "Any resemblance to Mr. Greene is coincidental."
The tech giant maintains its audio samples come from original recordings made specifically for the project. However, they declined to identify the actor behind the contested voice or provide documentation of the recording sessions.
Hollywood Déjà Vu
This legal skirmish echoes recent tensions between AI developers and entertainment professionals. Just months ago, OpenAI found itself in hot water when users noticed ChatGPT's "Sky" assistant bore striking similarities to Scarlett Johansson's sultry tones from Her. The actress publicly criticized what she called "digital impersonation," prompting OpenAI to remove the controversial voice option.
Media law experts see these cases as early skirmishes in what promises to be a prolonged battle over vocal rights in the AI era. "We're entering uncharted legal territory," notes UCLA media professor Daniel Stein. "Current laws weren't written with synthetic voices in mind."
Key Points:
- Voice as identity: Greene argues his distinctive speech patterns constitute intellectual property
- Industry precedent: The case follows Scarlett Johansson's dispute with OpenAI over voice similarity
- Legal gray area: Existing laws offer limited protection against AI voice replication
- Tech response: Google maintains it used properly licensed actor recordings