Workers at Google DeepMind in the UK have voted to unionize, partly due to concerns about a recent deal between Google and the US military. In a letter to management shared exclusively with the Guardian, employees requested recognition of the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union as joint representatives for the lab's UK-based staff.
Reasons for Unionization
One worker, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, stated: 'I have joined the union due to concerns about AI being used to empower authoritarianism, whether through military or surveillance applications. By unionizing, we are taking the traditional route for workers to organize and have a say.' Another worker cited complicity in Israel's war in Gaza, noting Google's increased AI tools access for the Israeli military and a $1.2 billion cloud-computing contract with Israel. 'Our technology helped the IDF. I want AI to benefit humanity, not to facilitate a genocide,' they said.
Pentagon Deal
Last Friday, the Pentagon confirmed agreements with seven AI companies, including Google, SpaceX, OpenAI, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services. The deal aims to accelerate the US military's transformation into an AI-first fighting force. Workers pointed to the US's 'capricious Iran war' and the Trump administration's feud with Anthropic as signs the department is 'not a responsible partner.'
Previous Concerns
Google workers and investors have long raised concerns, especially after the company dropped its pledge not to develop militarized AI. In 2018, employees protested Project Maven, a military contract for AI drone footage analysis, leading Google to not renew the contract in 2019. However, the company has since reversed its stance. More than 600 Google employees recently signed an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai, demanding the company not make AI systems available for classified use.
Union Representation
If recognized, the union would represent at least 1,000 workers. They seek commitments from Google to not develop technology with primary purpose to cause harm, establish independent ethics oversight, and grant workers the right to refuse projects on moral grounds. Potential actions include protests and 'research strikes.' Google did not respond to a request for comment.
