Google told its employees on Friday that it has completed its investigation into the ouster of prominent AI researcher Timnit Gebru. The company declined to say what the internal investigation found, but said it is making some changes to the way it addresses research, diversity and employee abandonment issues.
Why it mattersGebru’s treatment, both before and after she was forced to leave the company, has outraged people within Google’s Ethical AI team and others inside and outside the company. Google’s handling of the case has also raised questions about the company’s commitment to diversity and about hiring ethicists who are free to question the company’s actions.
Under its new policy, Google says it:
- Partially link the pay for those at the vice president level and above to the achievement of diversity and inclusion goals.
- streamline the research publishing process.
- increasing the workforce with regard to employee retention.
- introduce new procedures around potentially sensitive employee exits.
“I understand that we could and should have addressed this situation with more sensitivity,” Jeff Dean, head of Google AI, said in a memo obtained by Axios on Friday, outlining the changes. “And before that, I’m sorry.”
I have heard and acknowledge what Dr. Use has meant for female technologists, for those in the black community and other underrepresented groups pursuing careers in technology, and for many who deeply care about Google’s responsible use of AI. It led some to question their place here, which I regret.
– Google AI head Jeff Dean, in an internal email on Friday
Gebru is a leading AI ethics researcher and one of the few prominent black women in the field, and Google had regularly promoted her work as a way to highlight its commitment to AI ethics. But the relationship had soured as her investigation turned critical of the company’s work, ultimately leading to her forced departure.
Between the lines: None of these moves seem to quell the ongoing frustration over this issue, especially within Google’s Ethical AI team, members of whom say they continue to be blinded by the movements of the company
- Earlier this week, Google appointed Marian Croak as head of AI ethics work within Google’s research organization. Croak is a longtime Google employee, black woman, and leading researcher who has pioneered Internet speech handling; However, none of her work relates directly to ethical AI.
- Her hiring was first reported by Bloomberg News on Wednesday evening, pending an announcement to staff the following day.
Meanwhile, one of Gebru’s colleagues, Margaret Mitchell, remains locked out of her corporate email. Google said last month it is investigating why Mitchell has downloaded and shared a large number of files with people outside the company.
- According to a source, Mitchell had used automated scripts to scroll through her posts to find examples of Gebru’s discriminatory treatment before her account was locked.
- The company declined to provide an update on Mitchell’s status on Friday, but she will remain an employee of the company as of now.
“Research leadership has been talking about accountability,” said AI ethical researcher Alex Hanna said in a tweet on Thursday. “But there is no liability whatsoever for anything that has happened in the past three months. Investigators don’t know the meaning of the word, as far as I’m concerned.”