More than 100 Google DeepMind Employees to write open letterI want Google to stop working on these contracts
Around 200 employees of Google DeepMind, the company’s AI division, have reportedly signed an open letter urging the company to end its contracts with military organizationsAccording to a report by Time Magazine, the letter, dated May 16, 2024, expresses concerns that DeepMind AI Technology is being used for warfare, potentially violating Google’s own AI principles.
The letter specifically refers Google’s Defense Contract with the Israeli army, known as Project Nimbusas well as reports on the use of AI for mass surveillance and target selection in Gaza. Without focusing on any particular conflict, the signatories emphasize that their concerns are with the maintenance of international peace and security. ethical practices of AI.
“Any involvement in military and weapons manufacturing impacts our position as leaders in ethical and responsible AI, and runs counter to our mission statement and stated AI principles,” the letter said, according to Time.
When Google acquired DeepMind in 2014, it promised that the lab’s technology would never be used for military or surveillance purposes. DeepMind’s AI principles prohibit working on applications that cause “global harm” or help build weapons or technologies intended to cause harm. However, as DeepMind has become more closely integrated into Google’s core operations, that separation has become less clear.
The letter calls on DeepMind executives to investigate allegations of military use of Google Cloud services, end military access to DeepMind technology, and establish a new governance body to prevent future military applications.
As of August 2024, Google had not responded substantively to employee concerns, Time reports. “We haven’t received any meaningful response from management,” one employee told the magazine, “and we’re increasingly frustrated.”
A Google spokesperson defended the company’s practices, saying: “When we develop AI technologies and make them available to customers, we adhere to our AI Principles, which outline our commitment to developing technology responsibly.”
The internal dissent follows previous protests against Project Nimbus, which led Google to lay off dozens of employees earlier this year.
Around 200 employees of Google DeepMind, the company’s AI division, have reportedly signed an open letter urging the company to end its contracts with military organizationsAccording to a report by Time Magazine, the letter, dated May 16, 2024, expresses concerns that DeepMind AI Technology is being used for warfare, potentially violating Google’s own AI principles.
The letter specifically refers Google’s Defense Contract with the Israeli army, known as Project Nimbusas well as reports on the use of AI for mass surveillance and target selection in Gaza. Without focusing on any particular conflict, the signatories emphasize that their concerns are with the maintenance of international peace and security. ethical practices of AI.
“Any involvement in military and weapons manufacturing impacts our position as leaders in ethical and responsible AI, and runs counter to our mission statement and stated AI principles,” the letter said, according to Time.
When Google acquired DeepMind in 2014, it promised that the lab’s technology would never be used for military or surveillance purposes. DeepMind’s AI principles prohibit working on applications that cause “global harm” or help build weapons or technologies intended to cause harm. However, as DeepMind has become more closely integrated into Google’s core operations, that separation has become less clear.
The letter calls on DeepMind executives to investigate allegations of military use of Google Cloud services, end military access to DeepMind technology, and establish a new governance body to prevent future military applications.
As of August 2024, Google had not responded substantively to employee concerns, Time reports. “We haven’t received any meaningful response from management,” one employee told the magazine, “and we’re increasingly frustrated.”
A Google spokesperson defended the company’s practices, saying: “When we develop AI technologies and make them available to customers, we adhere to our AI Principles, which outline our commitment to developing technology responsibly.”
The internal dissent follows previous protests against Project Nimbus, which led Google to lay off dozens of employees earlier this year.
