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AI Voice Replication Lawsuit: Google Faces Legal Action
David Greene, the former prominent host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” has initiated legal proceedings against Google. The lawsuit, as reported by The Washington Post, centers around allegations that an AI-generated voice within Google’s NotebookLM tool is directly modeled after Greene’s own vocal characteristics. This marks a growing concern regarding the ethical and legal implications of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence.
Greene reportedly became aware of the issue after a surge of communications from acquaintances, colleagues, and family members. These individuals noted a striking similarity between the AI voice and Greene’s distinctive speaking style, specifically citing replicated patterns in his speech, including pauses and verbal fillers like “uh.” He currently hosts “Left, Right, & Center” on KCRW.
“My voice is, like, the most important part of who I am,” Greene stated, emphasizing the personal significance of his vocal identity. The lawsuit highlights the potential for AI to infringe upon an individual’s personal brand and likeness, raising questions about ownership and control in the age of generative AI.
Google Denies Voice Cloning Allegations
Responding to inquiries from The Washington Post, a Google spokesperson firmly refuted the claims made by David Greene. The company asserts that the male voice featured in NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews is not based on Greene’s voice at all. Instead, they maintain the voice was created using a professional voice actor specifically contracted for the purpose.
NotebookLM is a tool that allows users to create podcasts and other audio content utilizing AI-powered hosts. Google’s denial underscores the complexities in determining the origin and creation process of AI-generated voices, and the challenges in proving voice replication. The company has not released details regarding the contracted voice actor.
Precedent Set by Scarlett Johansson Case
This legal challenge arrives following a similar dispute involving actress Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI. Johansson previously voiced concerns that a voice option within ChatGPT closely mimicked her own, leading to its subsequent removal by the company. This incident established a precedent for addressing unauthorized replication of celebrity voices by AI systems.
The OpenAI case demonstrates a growing awareness of the need to protect individuals from having their likenesses exploited by AI technologies. The outcome of Greene’s lawsuit against Google could further shape the legal landscape surrounding AI voice cloning and establish clearer guidelines for responsible AI development.
