NPR Veteran Claims Google Copied His Signature Voice

The familiar voice that's greeted millions of NPR listeners each morning is now at the center of a legal battle. David Greene, longtime host of "Morning Edition" and current moderator of KCRW's "Left, Right & Center," alleges Google's NotebookLM AI tool crossed the line by creating what he believes is an unauthorized digital replica of his vocal identity.

"People Thought It Was Me"

Greene noticed something unsettling when NotebookLM launched its podcast feature earlier this year. "My inbox flooded with messages from people convinced I'd recorded those segments," he explained. Upon listening himself, Greene recognized troubling similarities - not just in tone and cadence, but even in subtle verbal tics like his characteristic pauses.

"A voice isn't just sound waves," Greene told reporters. "It carries personality, intention, everything that makes communication human."

Google's Response: Professional Talent

The tech giant firmly denies Greene's allegations. A spokesperson clarified that NotebookLM's audio summaries use voices recorded by actors under contract with Google. "We take great care to ensure all our audio assets are properly licensed," the statement read.

Echoes of Past Controversies

This isn't the first time an AI company has faced accusations of vocal appropriation:

• OpenAI removed ChatGPT's "Sky" voice after comparisons to Scarlett Johansson
• Several audiobook narrators have reported discovering synthetic versions of their voices online
• Voice actors increasingly seek explicit protections in contracts against digital replication

The case raises complex questions about where inspiration ends and imitation begins in the age of artificial voices.

Key Points:

• Legal Claim: NPR host David Greene sues Google over alleged vocal mimicry in NotebookLM
• Similarities Cited: Tone, speech patterns, and even verbal fillers reportedly match Greene's delivery
• Google's Position: Maintains the voice comes from properly contracted professional talent
• Broader Context: Part of growing legal debates around AI replication of human attributes