DeepMind UK staff to unionise over Google military contracts
They don’t like them.
Around 300 employees of Google DeepMind, a London-based artificial intelligence firm, are planning to join the Communication Workers Union, TechCrunch reports, citing the Financial Times. The main reason is dissatisfaction with Google’s decision to remove a promise from its website not to use AI for weapons or surveillance, as well as a $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli army to provide cloud services.
DeepMind employees whose work involves cutting-edge AI technology feel “cheated” because they initially joined the company with ethical principles. At least five people have quit over the disagreements, according to sources. DeepMind has about 2,000 employees in the UK, and the union drive could set a precedent in the tech industry.
A Google spokesman said the company welcomes “constructive dialogue” with employees.
Source: techcrunch
