DeepMind Workers Begin Unionization Efforts Over Ethical and Military AI Issues
By James Dargan · · 1 min read
Approximately 300 members of Google’s London-based DeepMind team are seeking to unionize with the Communication Workers Union, according to a Financial Times report citing sources involved in the effort.
Employees reportedly expressed frustration over Google’s removal of its pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance, as well as concerns about the company’s $1.2 billion cloud contract with the Israeli military. Sources said some DeepMind staff felt “duped,” with at least five resigning over the issues. DeepMind employs around 2,000 people in the UK.
A Google spokesperson told the FT the company supports “constructive and open dialogue” with employees. This follows previous unionization efforts at Google, which have struggled to gain collective bargaining power.
