Google AI researchers lay out demands, escalating internal fight

The departure of Google AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru set off protests inside the company. — AFP

A group of Google artificial intelligence researchers sent a sweeping list of demands to management calling for new policies and leadership changes, escalating a conflict at one of the company’s prized units.

The note centres on the departure of Google AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru, which set off protests inside the company. Citing that situation, the employees called for a company vice president, Megan Kacholia, to no longer be part of their reporting chain. "We have lost trust in her as a leader,” the researchers wrote, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Bloomberg.