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Google DeepMind researchers quit over military AI contracts, BBC reports
Two researchers have resigned from Google DeepMind this month over Google's military AI contracts, the BBC reported, while Google said it reviews such deals under its AI principles and bars retaliation against staff who raise concerns.
- Our desk updated its story
- bbc.com is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Google experiences resignation backlash over AI military contracts”
- Our desk filed its story
We work with public sector organisations worldwide and follow a consistent process for reviewing and entering these contracts — Google spokesperson, to the BBC
Two researchers have resigned from Google DeepMind this month over Google's contracts to supply AI to the military, the BBC reported on Wednesday1. No other outlet had reported the resignations at the time of writing.
Sofia Liguori, a London-based research engineer, told the BBC she quit this week after three years over the company's growing work with the U.S. and Israeli militaries1. Andreas Kirsch, an AI researcher, said he left earlier in October because he believes Google's oversight is not adequate for military and classified use1.
Google signed a Pentagon contract this year that lets its models be used for classified work, according to the BBC1. The BBC said the agreement allows use for "any lawful government purpose" and says the models should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without appropriate human oversight1.
A Google spokesperson told the BBC the company follows a consistent process for reviewing such contracts, including its acceptable-use policies and AI principles, and has channels for staff to raise concerns and policies against retaliation1.
Current DeepMind employees who asked not to be named told the BBC that staff are afraid to speak out because their employment contracts bar them from publicly criticizing the company, and one said many people who feel strongly about the issue have already left. Liguori said she spoke to the BBC despite those restrictions.
The Pentagon has argued that fast AI adoption is essential, the BBC reported, citing Under Secretary Emil Michael1. The BBC said OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, SpaceX, Oracle, Nvidia and Reflection signed similar contracts1.
The BBC also noted that Google faced staff criticism in 2024 over Project Nimbus, a $1.2bn joint contract with Amazon supplying Israel's government and military with AI and cloud services, which Google said at the time was not aimed at classified or weapons-related workloads.