Voice Cloning Lawsuit: Radio Host Sues Google Over AI Voice
David Greene, a prominent radio personality, has initiated legal action against Google, asserting that the technology firm illicitly duplicated his voice for its NotebookLM artificial intelligence tool. Reports from the Washington Post and other news outlets detail the lawsuit, which centers on claims of unauthorized voice replication. Greene, formerly a co-host of NPR’s Morning Edition, currently helms the Left, Right, & Center podcast broadcast by KCRW, an NPR member station.
The discovery of NotebookLM’s capabilities – specifically its ability to automatically generate podcasts – came through a former colleague, leaving Greene “completely freaked out,” as he conveyed to the Washington Post. The lawsuit, formally lodged in California on January 23, alleges that Google intentionally aimed to reproduce Greene’s unique vocal characteristics. These include his distinctive delivery, rhythm, and overall persona, to fabricate synthetic audio content mirroring his style.
Legal Grounds for the Voice Replication Claim
The core of the complaint rests on accusations that Google infringed upon Greene’s statutory right to publicity, as defined by California law and common legal precedent. This right safeguards individuals against the unauthorized commercial exploitation of their likeness. Furthermore, the suit contends that Google violated California’s unfair competition law and unjustly profited from the use of Greene’s voice without permission. The legal documents assert Google actively “sought to replicate Mr. Greene's distinctive voice — a voice made iconic over decades of decorated radio and public commentary — to create synthetic audio products.”
Google’s Response and the Broader AI Debate
Google has vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as “baseless” through a statement provided to the Post and other media outlets. José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, clarified to Gizmodo that the male voice featured in NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews is not Greene’s, but rather that of a hired professional voice actor. This case highlights the escalating concerns surrounding the use of individuals’ likenesses within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
The controversy echoes similar issues that arose in 2024 when OpenAI was compelled to withdraw its AI voice, Sky, following accusations that it closely resembled the voice of Scarlett Johansson, who had not granted permission for its use. This incident, alongside numerous lawsuits targeting major tech companies for utilizing copyrighted material in AI training, underscores the complex legal and ethical challenges presented by AI-driven voice cloning technology. Notably, Ziff Davis, the parent company of Mashable, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging copyright infringement related to the training and operation of its AI systems.
