Google DeepMind Workers Vote to Unionize Over Military AI Deals
Employees at Google DeepMind in London have voted to unionize, seeking to prevent the use of their AI technology in military applications by the US and Israeli armed forces. The move follows concerns over Alphabet's removal of ethical safeguards against weaponizing AI and increasing corporate-military partnerships. Workers aim to gain collective bargaining power to influence company policies on AI ethics, transparency, and workforce protections.
- ▪Google DeepMind employees in London voted to unionize through the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union to oppose military use of AI.
- ▪In 2025, Alphabet removed a pledge from its ethics guidelines not to use AI for weapons development or surveillance, fueling employee concerns.
- ▪Workers are demanding Google end its contract with the Israeli military and provide transparency on AI usage and automation-related layoffs.
- ▪The US Department of Defense confirmed deals with Google, SpaceX, OpenAI, and Microsoft to use their AI models on classified networks.
- ▪Around 600 US Google employees protested a deal allowing the Pentagon to use Google’s AI for 'any lawful government purpose.'
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Joel KhaliliBusinessMay 5, 2026 7:59 AMGoogle DeepMind Workers Vote to Unionize Over Military AI DealsUK staff of Google's AI research lab hope to block the use of the company's artificial intelligence models in military settings.Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyEmployees at Google DeepMind in London have voted to unionize as part of a bid to block the AI lab from providing its technology to the US and Israeli militaries.In a letter addressed to Google’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, Debbie Weinstein, the workers asked the company to recognize the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union as joint representatives for DeepMind employees.“Fundamentally, the push for unionization is about holding…
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