Google DeepMind staff unionise over Israel and US military ties

“Google DeepMind staff unionise over Israel and US military ties Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Tue, 05/05/2026 - 13:03 Staff at Google’s AI division launch historic union drive, opposing use of their technology in Israel and Pentagon-linked projects Protesters gather with banners and placards outside the London offices of Google at a protest organised by PauseAI UK and other groups concerned in controlling the development of advanced Artificial Intelligence systems, London, February 2026 (AFP) Off Hundreds of workers in Google’s UK artificial intelligence division have voted to unionise over concerns that its technology is being used by the US to wage war on Iran and by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza. On Tuesday, the UK-based employees formally requested Google DeepMind to recognise the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite the Union as their representatives in the workplace, in what organisers said could become the first unionisation effort at a major “frontier AI” lab globally. In an internal vote among CWU members at DeepMind, 98 percent voted in favour of unionising. The workers at DeepMind are seeking an end to the use of Google AI by Israel and the US military. Their demands also include restoring a scrapped commitment not to develop AI weapons or surveillance tools, creating an independent ethics oversight body, and the right of individuals to refuse to contribute to projects on moral grounds. The workers are part of a wider campaign, with DeepMind staff globally considering in-person protests and “research strikes” where they abstain from work. A DeepMind employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said none of the workers wanted their “AI models complicit in violations of international law, but they already are aiding Israel’s genocide of Palestinians". “Even if our work is only used for administrative purposes, as leadership has repeatedly told us, it is still helping make genocide cheaper, faster, and more efficient,” said the worker. “That must end immediately, as must harm to Iranians and human lives anywhere.” The unionisation bid would secure representation for at least 1,000 staff tied to Google DeepMind’s London office. The employees’ letter gave management 10 working days to voluntarily recognise the CWU and Unite, or take other steps like agreeing to mediated negotiations, before a formal legal process is launched to force recognition. Palestine Action defendants targeted Elbit's use of ‘deadly AI’, court hears Read More » The decision for Google DeepMind employees to unionise in Britain comes as the UK government attempts to lure tech companies to invest in the UK. Several tech companies, including Anthropic , have already announced plans to expand their presence in London. John Chadfield, a national officer for the CWU, described Tuesday’s announcement as a “really important moment” for tech workers. “This is a really important moment where tech workers at Google’s frontier AI lab are connecting with some of the most oppressed people in communities around the world in meaningful ways, based on foundational values of solidarity and trade unionism,” said Chadfield. “By exercising their rights to collectivise they are in a strong position to demand their employer stop circling the ethical drain of military-industrial contracts, echoing the sentiment of many working people in the UK and elsewhere.” Years of protest For years, Google employees have protested the tech company’s involvement with military projects. Earlier this year, more than 600 Google employees working in the company’s AI and cloud divisions signed an open letter urging Google to deny the Pentagon's use of its technology for classified military operations. Google also fired dozens of employees after they held protests and pushed back on Project Nimbus, a joint project with Amazon to make cloud computing and AI tools available to Israel, even amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Last year, Google faced criticism for acquiring Wiz, an Israeli cloud security firm which was founded by former members of Unit 8200, an elite Israeli army cyber-espionage and surveillance unit. Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

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