David Greene, the esteemed former host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” has initiated legal action against Google, claiming that the male voice used in the company’s NotebookLM tool closely mimics his own. This allegation has been reported by The Washington Post.
Following numerous comments from friends, family, and colleagues pointing out the striking resemblance, Greene asserts that the AI-generated voice reflects his unique cadence, intonation, and habitual filler words such as “uh.”
“My voice is a critical aspect of my identity,” Greene stated, adding that he currently hosts the KCRW program “Left, Right, & Center.”
Google’s NotebookLM features a capability that enables users to create podcasts with AI-generated hosts. In response to Greene’s accusations, a spokesperson from Google clarified that the voice utilized in NotebookLM is based on a professional actor engaged by the company, and is not derived from Greene.
This legal conflict is part of a broader trend concerning AI-generated voices similar to those of real individuals. A notable previous case involved OpenAI, which rescinded a voice used in ChatGPT after actress Scarlett Johansson expressed concerns that it imitated her voice.
Key Points:
– David Greene files lawsuit against Google over voice mimicry.
– Claims voice in NotebookLM reflects his unique speaking style.
– Google asserts the voice was created by a professional actor.
– Similar disputes regarding AI voices have arisen in the past.
