David Greene, the longtime host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” is suing Google, alleging that the male podcast voice in the company’s NotebookLM tool is based on Greene, according to The Washington Post.
The allegations emerged when Greene’s peers and kin began reaching out to him, noting how the voice captured elements of his speech patterns, including his characteristic use of filler phrases like “uh.”
For Greene, a renowned voice in broadcasting, the integrity of his vocal identity is paramount. “My voice is, like, the most important part of who I am,” stated Greene, who also hosts the KCRW show “Left, Right, & Center.”
Google’s NotebookLM, which features capabilities like AI-generated podcasts, has sparked controversy. A Google representative asserted to The Washington Post that the voice in question is not Greene’s: “The sound of the male voice in NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews is based on a paid professional actor Google hired.”
This incident is yet another chapter in the ongoing discourse surrounding AI and its replication of human voices. In a recent case, OpenAI took action against their ChatGPT voice after actress Scarlett Johansson voiced her concerns, claiming it mirrored her own vocal style.
Why This Matters: Greene’s lawsuit stands as a pivotal moment in the debate on AI-generated content and personal authenticity. As technology rapidly evolves, concerns about voice rights and ownership are becoming crucial. This case could set precedents that shape how AI tools interact with real voices, possibly influencing regulations and ethical guidelines in the industry.
#Longtime #NPR #host #David #Greene #sues #Google #NotebookLM #voice