NotebookLM under fire: Popular radio host says Google stole his voice

Source: Android Authority

Andy Walker / Android Authority

TL;DR

• Former NPR host David Greene is suing Google, alleging that NotebookLM’s male AI voice used in the Audio Overviews feature is an unauthorized replica of his own.
• Greene claims the AI mimics his specific cadence and vocal habits developed over decades on “Morning Edition.”
• Google has dismissed the lawsuit as “baseless,” asserting that the voice was recorded by a paid professional actor.

Background

Google’s NotebookLM offers AI‑generated Audio Overviews and Video Overviews, tools that many users find helpful for learning. However, former NPR host David Greene says the male voice used for Audio Overviews sounds exactly like his own.

Greene hosted NPR’s Morning Edition from 2012 to 2020, reaching about 13 million listeners. He now hosts the political podcast Left, Right & Center.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Greene noted that the AI voice matches his cadence, intonation, and even the occasional “uhhs” and “likes” he has tried to minimize over the years.

The Lawsuit

Greene has filed a lawsuit claiming that Google:

• Violated his rights by creating a product that replicates his voice without his permission or compensation.
• Gives users the ability to make the AI say things Greene would never say.
• Trained NotebookLM on his voice, though no proof has been presented.

Google’s Response

Google responded that the allegations are baseless, stating that the male voice in NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews was recorded by a paid professional actor hired specifically for that purpose.

Similar Cases

The dispute echoes earlier controversies involving AI‑generated voices:

• In 2024, Scarlett Johansson sued OpenAI, alleging that a ChatGPT‑4o voice named “Sky” sounded like hers.
• OpenAI clarified that the voice was created by a voice‑over artist hired months before Johansson was approached for the project.
• More details can be found in the coverage by Android Authority: Scarlett Johansson vs. OpenAI.

References

• NotebookLM Audio Overviews:
• NotebookLM Video Overviews:
• Washington Post article on David Greene:
• Android Authority comment policy (for context):