A PYMNTS Company

Award-Winning Journalists and Narrators Sue Google Over Alleged Voice AI Training

By  |  May 12, 2026
Google, AI investments

A group of award-winning journalists, podcasters and audiobook narrators has filed a lawsuit against Google in federal court in Illinois, accusing the company of using recordings of their voices without permission to train artificial intelligence systems, according to Reuters.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The proposed class action, filed Monday, alleges that Google used thousands of hours of professionally recorded speech to develop the AI models behind products including Google Assistant, Gemini Live and other voice-based systems designed to replicate human speech. Per Reuters, the plaintiffs include veteran Chicago journalist Carol Marin, along with Pulitzer Prize winners Yohance Lacour and Alison Flowers.

    The lawsuit claims Google collected voice recordings from publicly available online sources and used them to improve its AI voice technology without obtaining consent from the speakers. According to Reuters, the plaintiffs argue that this conduct violated their publicity rights as well as protections under Illinois biometric privacy law.

    Court filings state that the plaintiffs’ recordings fit “the profile of training audio Google’s documentation identifies as optimal — long-form, single-speaker, studio-quality, professionally produced.”

    Read more: Google Moves to Revise Spam Rules as EU Antitrust Pressure Mounts

    The group is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. Representatives for Google and lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

    The lawsuit is part of a growing wave of legal challenges against technology companies over the use of copyrighted or personally identifiable content in AI development. Per Reuters, authors, media organizations and other creators have filed dozens of similar cases in recent years.

    In a separate case, former NPR host David Greene sued Google in California in January over allegations that his voice was also used in AI training without authorization. Reuters also reported that a group of voice actors has brought comparable claims against AI voiceover startup Lovo in an ongoing lawsuit in New York.

    Source: Reuters