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Google told employees on Friday that it had closed its investigation into the ousting of prominent AI researcher Timnit Gebru. The company declined to say what the internal investigation found, but said it was making changes to the way it handles issues around research, diversity and employee departures.
Why is this important: Gebru’s treatment, both before and after she was forced to leave the company, outraged people on Google’s artificial intelligence team and others inside and out. outside the company. Google’s handling of the case also raised questions about the company’s commitment to diversity and hiring ethicists who are free to question the company’s actions.
As part of its new policies, Google says it:
- link the compensation of vice presidents and above in part to the achievement of diversity and inclusion goals.
- streamline its research publication process.
- increase its staff related to employee retention.
- adopt new procedures around the exits of potentially sensitive employees.
“I understand that we could and should have handled this situation with more sensitivity,” Google AI director Jeff Dean said in a note obtained by Axios on Friday, describing the changes. “And for that, I’m sorry.”
I heard and recognize what Dr Gebru’s exit meant for women technologists, for those in the black community and other under-represented groups who pursue careers in tech, and for many people who care. deeply about the responsible use of AI by Google. This has led some to question their place here, which I regret.
– Jeff Dean, head of Google AI, in an internal email Friday
Gebru is one of the top AI ethics researchers and one of the few prominent black women in the field, and Google had frequently promoted her work as a way to highlight her commitment to the ethics field. ‘IA. But the relationship had soured as his research became critical of the company’s work, ultimately leading to his forced departure.
Between the lines: None of these measures seem likely to quell the lingering frustration on the matter, particularly within Google’s ethical AI team, whose members say they continue to be blinded by the movements of the company.
- Earlier this week, Google appointed Marian Croak to lead ethical AI work across Google’s search organization. Croak is a longtime Google employee, a black woman and a distinguished researcher, having pioneered the field of Internet voice processing; however, none of his work relates directly to ethical AI.
- His hiring was first reported on Wednesday evening by Bloomberg News, before an announcement to staff the next day.
Meanwhile, one of Gebru’s colleagues, Margaret Mitchell, still does not have access to her corporate email. Google said last month it was investigating why Mitchell downloaded a large number of files and shared them with people outside the company.
- According to a source, Mitchell had used automated scripts to go through his messages to find examples showing discriminatory treatment of Gebru before his account was locked out.
- The company declined to offer an update on Mitchell’s status on Friday, but as of now she remains an employee of the company.
“The research leadership spoke about a great accountability game,” said Alex Hanna, ethical AI researcher said in a tweet Thursday. “But there is no responsibility for anything that has happened in the last three months. Research leadership does not know the meaning of the word, as far as I am concerned.”
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