- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Former NPR Host Sues Google Over Alleged AI Voice Cloning
David Greene claims tech giant used his voice to train its AI audio tool without authorization.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Former NPR radio host David Greene has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company, Alphabet, alleging that the tech giant used his voice to train its artificial intelligence audio tool, NotebookLM, without his permission. Greene, who previously hosted 'Morning Edition' and currently hosts KCRW's 'Left, Right & Center,' claims he first became aware of the issue in 2024 when friends and colleagues noticed the AI-generated audio summaries sounded strikingly similar to his own voice.
Why it matters
This case highlights growing concerns around the use of AI to replicate human voices without consent. It raises critical questions about the rights of individuals to control their own likeness, particularly their voices, in an era where AI-powered voice cloning technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible.
The details
Greene commissioned an independent forensic analysis of the AI voice, which indicated a confidence rating between 53% and 60% that his voice was used in the training of the NotebookLM software. Google has denied the allegations, stating the male voice used in NotebookLM's Audio Overviews is based on a paid professional actor. The lawsuit seeks redress for the unauthorized use of Greene's voice and potential lost opportunities to capitalize on his vocal identity.
- Greene first became aware of the potential issue in the fall of 2024.
- The lawsuit was filed on January 23, 2026.
The players
David Greene
A former NPR radio host who previously hosted 'Morning Edition' and currently hosts KCRW's 'Left, Right & Center.'
An American technology company that developed the AI audio tool, NotebookLM, which is at the center of the lawsuit.
Alphabet Inc.
The parent company of Google, which is also named in the lawsuit.
What they’re saying
“I was, like, completely freaked out”
— David Greene (Washington Post)
“It's this eerie moment where you feel like you're listening to yourself.”
— David Greene (Washington Post)
“My voice is, like, the most important part of who I am.”
— David Greene (Washington Post)
What’s next
The outcome of the case will likely be closely watched by both the technology industry and creative professionals alike, as it could set a precedent for how AI companies approach voice replication and the need for explicit consent and compensation when utilizing an individual's vocal characteristics for AI training purposes.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing concerns surrounding the use of AI to replicate human voices without consent, raising critical questions about the rights of individuals to control their own likeness, particularly their voices, in the age of increasingly sophisticated AI-powered voice cloning technology.
