Subj : Google DeepMind workers protest over US military and defense cont
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri Aug 23 2024 13:15:05

Google DeepMind workers protest over US military and defense contracts

Date:
Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:07:00 +0000

Description:
DeepMind criticized for its affiliation with Googles military contracts.

FULL STORY
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Nearly 200 workers at Google DeepMind, the companys AI research division, 
have signed a letter urging the company to terminate its contracts with 
military organizations. 

The May 16 letter, revealed by TIME , highlights growing concern within the 
organization about the ethical implications of its AI technology being used 
for digital warfare. 

The signatories represent around 5% of DeepMinds workforce, calling out the 
companys contracts to supply AI and cloud computing services to various 
governments, including the Israeli military under Project Nimbus. Google 
workers worried about their AI being used in warfare 

The workers argue such involvement violates Googles own AI Principles, which 
state the company will not pursue AI applications that cause overall harm or 
contribute to weaponry and surveillance. 

Although the letter refrains from mentioning any specific geopolitical 
conflict, it links to reports alleging that Israeli military operations are 
using AI for surveillance and targeting. 

Although DeepMind has historically maintained a policy against using its 
technology for military purposes, the business has become increasingly close 
to Googles broader operations since its acquisition in 2014, leading to 
closer ties to military contracts. 

Despite the letters demands, including a review of DeepMinds technology being 
used by military clients and the establishment of a new governance body, 
Google has not taken any decisive action. TechRadar Pro has asked the company 
to comment on the internal letter from staff, but we did not receive an 
immediate response. 

One of the letters signatories expressed their dissatisfaction with Googles 
response to the complaint to TIME , stating that the companys statement on 
Project Nimbus is so specifically unspecific that we are all none the wiser 
on what it actually means. More from TechRadar Pro Microsoft and Palantir 
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/google-deepmind-workers-want-the-company-to-drop
-its-military-contracts


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