AI
Google DeepMind researchers are quitting over the company's military AI contracts
By the newsroom · · 2 min read · ▶ 0:53
The essentials
- Sofia Liguori, a London-based research engineer, resigned from Google DeepMind this week over the company's military contracts.[1]
- Google's contract with the Pentagon, signed earlier this year, allows its AI technology to be used for classified military work.[1]
- Andreas Kirsch, an AI researcher, also resigned from Google DeepMind earlier this month.[1]
- Google says it has "strict workplace policies in place to prevent retaliation of any kind".[1]
What happened
The BBC has spoken to several tech workers who have either recently resigned from Google DeepMind, or are in the process of leaving, over concerns with the company's military contracts.[1] Sofia Liguori said she decided to resign over Google's increasing work with the US and Israeli militaries, after working for the company for three years.[1] "Realising my company is pushing more and more for AI systems in military operations makes me feel ashamed to work at Google," she said.[1] Under the agreement, the company's models can be used for "any lawful government purpose".[1] Similar contracts were signed by OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, SpaceX, Oracle, Nvidia, and the start-up Reflection.[1] Kirsch said Google "seems to have no right to control or veto how the Pentagon uses its AI".[1] Employees told the BBC that their employment contracts prohibit them from publicly criticising the company.[1]
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What the video doesn't say
Liguori joined DeepMind in 2023 and began working on AI systems aimed at more efficiently routing power through the electrical grid.[2] The day after Google announced its classified military AI contract with the Pentagon in April, she staged a personal sick-out.[2] In June, René Mayrhofer, a director for Android platform security, also resigned over the firm's work with the Pentagon.[3] In May, workers at DeepMind called for union recognition over the use of their work by Israel and the US military.[3] US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the Trump administration will become an "AI-first warfighting force".[1]
Sources
- 1Google staff resign in backlash over its AI contracts with militaryYahoo News · October 21, 2026
- 2Google DeepMind Engineer Resigns in Protest of Pentagon ContractThe Intercept · October 21, 2026
- 3Google faces exodus after AI workers resign over tech giant's military contracts | LBCLBC · October 21, 2026
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