Workers at Google DeepMind in the UK have voted to unionise, partly in response to concerns about a deal between the company and the US military announced last week. In a letter to management, the workers requested recognition of the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union as joint representatives of the lab’s UK-based staff.
One worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cited the US’s “capricious Iran war” and the Pentagon’s feud with Anthropic as evidence that the defence department is “not a responsible partner”. Another worker expressed unease over the company’s provision of AI tools to the Israeli military, saying: “Our technology helped the IDF. I want AI to benefit humanity, not to facilitate a genocide.”
Google disputed the claim that a vote had taken place, stating: “There has been no vote to unionise.” However, a union official confirmed that a vote occurred and that a separate ballot for recognition may follow if the company refuses voluntary recognition. The workers’ concerns have been mounting since Google dropped a pledge not to develop militarised AI last year.
The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it had reached agreements with seven AI companies, including Google, SpaceX, OpenAI, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. The agreements aim to accelerate the US military’s transformation into an “AI-first fighting force”. Google’s contract includes non-binding language stating the AI system should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight.
At least 1,000 workers would be represented if the company recognises the union, according to union officials. The UK workers are the first in a “frontier” AI lab to seek union recognition, they said.
