Google DeepMind in talks with UK unions amid staff concern over US and Israel’s AI use | Google
Google DeepMind has agreed to begin formal talks with tech workers in the UK that could lead to union representation, amid growing staff concerns about the use of its artificial intelligence by the defense and intelligence of the US and Israeli governments.
In a groundbreaking move, the artificial intelligence arm of the multi-trillion dollar Google empire, led by Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis, has agreed to merge into the Communications Workers Union and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) after several hundred workers at its London headquarters this month voted to unionise.
Google DeepMind has refused to voluntarily recognize unions for collective bargaining purposes, but said in an email to staff on Wednesday that talks at Acas “could result in a formal vote within a few months, giving all eligible employees the opportunity to vote on whether they want to be represented by unions.”
Google is facing a court challenge from a DeepMind AI researcher of Palestinian origin who claims he was unfairly dismissed after protesting his work on behalf of the Israeli government. The researcher is a member of the United Technology and Allied Workers Union, a branch of the CWU. Google disputes his account of his departure.
Israeli officials say Google’s cloud computing ‘makes extraordinary things possible’ [to] It occurred in battle during the Gaza conflict.
Hundreds of workers signed petitions expressing concerns about the implementation of the technology; Concerns have been growing since the company withdrew its promise in 2025 not to allow its technologies to be used in harmful weapons or surveillance that violate international norms.
In a message to staff on Wednesday, Google said its team’s “ability to listen to each other and collaborate together has always been at the core of our culture… We fully respect the labor rights of all our employees, including the right to be a union member or not. Your choice will not affect how you are treated at GDM.”
A Google DeepMind spokesperson said: “We rejected the unions’ request for voluntary recognition to bargain collectively on pay, hours and holiday, but offered to meet through Acas, which is the standard next step. We continue to value constructive and direct dialogue with our employees on creating a positive and successful workplace.”
A CWU source said: “This is a concession where they need to address some serious issues on the production floor. There is clearly a wave of opinion about the contracts they are expected to serve, for example drone technology and relations with the Israeli government and relations with the US military. This is certainly a step forward and they are not just shutting this down.”
