Prominent AI Ethicist Timnit Gebru Reports Abrupt Firing From Google
Renowned artificial intelligence researcher Timnit Gebru states that Google abruptly terminates her employment after she questions the company's demand to retract a research paper. The incident sparks widespread criticism from tech workers regarding Google's commitment to diversity and ethical AI.
Renowned artificial intelligence researcher Timnit Gebru reports that Google abruptly fires her, prompting widespread support from Google employees and tech workers across the industry. As the technical co-lead of Google's Ethical AI Team and a co-founder of Black in AI, Gebru is a highly respected figure who focuses on algorithmic bias and advocates for diversity in technology.
The dismissal apparently stems from an internal email Gebru sends to women and allies within Google Brain, where she expresses frustration over superiors asking her to retract a research paper without providing clear reasons or a chance to defend her work. She highlights this situation as part of a larger pattern at Google of prioritizing superficial diversity efforts over actual structural change.
Gebru states that she does not resign and instead asks for simple conditions before continuing the conversation while on vacation, but her corporate account is abruptly cut off. An unverified dismissal email from a subordinate of AI head Jeff Dean allegedly fast-tracks her departure, though Google currently declines to comment on the situation.