Google rejects DeepMind UK staff move to unionise, offers talks

(Alliance News) - Google's AI lab DeepMind said Wednesday it had declined to recognise unions established by UK employees concerned about the military uses of its technology, but offered to enter into negotiations instead.

The company said it has agreed to enter talks with the unions via a public mediation body, as part of formal next steps that could lead to union representation. 

"We've declined the unions' request for voluntary recognition to bargain collectively on pay, hours and holiday," a Google DeepMind spokesperson told AFP. 

"But we have offered to meet via ACAS, which is a standard next step," the spokesperson added.

Workers requested recognition of the Communication Workers Union and Unite earlier this month over growing concern about the company's technology being used by the US and Israeli militaries.

"We welcome Google DeepMind management's offer to engage us in discussions over workplace union recognition," a CWU spokesperson said in a statement. 

"In previous months, unprecedented numbers of Google DeepMind employees have expressed concerns over the direction of their work by joining their union," the spokesperson added.

Demands from the unionising UK employees include ending the use of Google AI by Israel and the US military and restoring a scrapped commitment not to make AI weapons or surveillance tools.

It has also requested the company to create an independent ethics oversight body and permit workers to refuse to contribute to projects on moral grounds.

The Pentagon recently announced agreements with Google and six other AI companies to deploy their technology on classified military networks.

Prior to the announcement, more than 600 Google employees urged the company not to sign the deal because of concerns the tools could be leveraged by the military to cause harm. 

In 2018, an employee movement successfully pushed Google to abandon Project Maven, a Pentagon program to integrate AI into drone operations.

Alphabet Class A shares were down 0.8% at USD384.53 on Wednesday in New York.

source: AFP

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