Google appoints executive to oversee responsible AI research after staff turmoil

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google on Thursday appointed Marian Croak, one of its few black executives, to oversee responsible artificial intelligence (AI) research after weeks of internal anger following the dismissal of ‘a prominent black scientist.

Google has confirmed that Croak will manage 10 teams, including a dozen scientists studying the ethical considerations of automated technologies known as AI. Timnit Gebru, co-head of ethical AI, said in December that Google brutally fired her for challenging the company’s orders.

For weeks, employees have expressed concern that Gebru’s criticism of Google could lead to unfair penalties, and Croak is among the executives trying to find a way forward between staff and management.

Croak, a vice president of engineering who will report to Google AI chief Jeff Dean, told employees at a meeting on Thursday that she respects Gebru and that what happened to her was unfortunate.

In a video on the Google blog, she also acknowledged dissent in areas of research that are now within her purview. “There is a lot of conflict right now on the ground, and it can be polarizing at times, and what I would like to do is just get people to have the conversation in a more diplomatic way,” he said. she declared.

Alex Hanna, a Google employee on Twitter, called Croak’s news a ‘betrayal’, saying it happened behind the back of the Ethical AI team and did not respond to the team’s requests afterwards. the dismissal of Gebru.

Gebru said in a statement, “Marian is a highly accomplished pioneering scientist whom I had admired and even trusted. It’s incredibly hurtful to see her legitimize what Jeff Dean and his subordinates have done to me and my team. ”

Croak, who previously worked on site reliability for Google, will also oversee teams carrying out research related to accessibility, social good and fairness in health algorithms.