Google DeepMind Unionization Talks Are Off to a Rocky Start
During negotiations on Wednesday, employees voiced frustrations with what they consider an unwillingness among executives to engage meaningfully with the prospect of unionization.
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London-based employees at Google DeepMind have begun unionization talks after requesting recognition from two unions, but initial negotiations this week were marked by frustration from union representatives who felt senior DeepMind leadership was not meaningfully engaging in the process. The unionization push was triggered by the parent company Alphabet's removal of ethical pledges against using AI for weapons development and surveillance from its guidelines. Employees across the AI industry have expressed concerns about military applications of their work, particularly after reports that Google entered into deals allowing the Pentagon to use its AI for government purposes. If negotiations fail to progress, union representatives have indicated they will ask an arbitration committee to force Google to recognize the unions.
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