NPR Host Sues Google, Alleges NotebookLM Violates Voice Rights

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February 27, 2026

WillieMartinez

David Greene, the longtime host of NPR's "Morning Edition," has filed a lawsuit against Google. Greene alleges that the male voice produced by Google's AI note‑taking tool, NotebookLM, illegally mimics his own.

Google (2)

"My voice is my soul"

Greene, who now hosts KCRW's program "Left, Right, and Center," said that after NotebookLM added its podcast feature, he received many messages from friends, family, and colleagues asking if the AI voice was his. Upon comparison, Greene became convinced that the AI host's tone, pacing, and even filler words like "um" closely resembled his own. He stressed, "My voice is one of the most essential parts of who I am."

Google's Response: It's a Professional Actor's Voice

In response to the claim, a Google spokesperson denied it in an interview with The Washington Post. Google explained that the voice used in NotebookLM's audio summary is unrelated to Greene and was recorded by professional actors the company hired.

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This is not the first time an AI leader has faced such an issue. Previously, OpenAI removed the ChatGPT voice assistant named Sky after it was found to sound strikingly similar to Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, who raised objections.

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