DeepMind Employees Protest Google's Military Contracts, Sparking Unionization Efforts

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Published inAI News · 4 min read · Apr 27, 2025

DeepMind employees in the UK are actively seeking to form a union to oppose the company's decision to sell its AI technology to military groups and its collaboration with the Israeli government. Approximately 300 London-based DeepMind employees have reportedly applied to join the Communication Workers Union (CWU), hoping to leverage the union's power to influence the company's commercial strategy.

Google's push for DeepMind to find commercial applications for its technology has sparked widespread concern among employees. In February, Google updated its AI ethics guidelines, removing a previous commitment not to develop weapons systems—a move that fueled employee discontent. This commitment originated in 2018, following employee protests and thousands of resignations over Google's collaboration with the US military on AI tools for drone systems.

Amidst the current situation, DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis stated in a blog post that tech companies and governments should collaborate to develop AI systems that “support national security.” However, many employees disagree, expressing concerns about the company's relationship with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Google is reportedly negotiating a $1.2 billion cloud computing deal with Israel, prompting employees to reflect on the potential military applications of their technology.

Last week, some Google employees at the company's California headquarters held a rally protesting the provision of services to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Rumors suggest that Google subsequently fired 28 employees involved in the protest. One engineer expressed concerns about the technology being used in the Gaza conflict, arguing that cutting-edge AI should not be deployed in warfare.

As early as May last year, DeepMind employees submitted an open letter to company management demanding the termination of all military contracts, following up with multiple communications, but ultimately failed to reach a consensus. A Google spokesperson stated that the company is committed to the responsible development and deployment of AI technology and encourages open dialogue with its employees.

If the DeepMind employees gain official union recognition, they are expected to seek a meeting with management to push for changes regarding defense contracts.

Key Highlights:
🌟 DeepMind UK employees are seeking to form a union to protest the company's collaboration with military groups.
🤖 Google removed the "no weapons AI" commitment from its AI ethics guidelines, increasing employee opposition.
⚠️ Employees are concerned about the technology being used in military conflicts, expressing their dissatisfaction through open letters and protests.

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