Google Dissolves AI Ethics Council After Controversial Appointment Backlash
Google cancels its Advanced Technology External Advisory Council following intense internal and external criticism over the inclusion of a controversial Heritage Foundation leader. The company states the council cannot function as intended in the current environment.
Google officially scraps its Advanced Technology External Advisory Council just over a week after launching the AI ethics panel. The tech giant makes this decision after facing severe backlash from thousands of employees and critics who strongly object to the inclusion of Kay Coles James, the leader of the conservative Heritage Foundation.
Opponents point out that James holds vehemently anti-LGBT views and a documented history of advocating for climate change denialism. An internal group of Google workers argues that her presence on the council elevates and endorses hateful disinformation, leading over 2,300 employees to sign a petition demanding her removal from the eight-person panel.
The controversy creates a rift among the selected panelists, prompting one member to decline his invitation and forcing others to publicly defend their participation. Acknowledging that the advisory body cannot function as intended, Google adds a statement to its original announcement to officially end the council and return to the drawing board.