Discussion

• Vox Shirin Ghaffary on x

  The controversy behind a star Google AI researcher's departure

• @timnitgebru Timnit Gebru on x

  I was fired by @JeffDean for my email to Brain women and Allies. My corp account has been cutoff. So I've been immediately fired :-)

• @zittrain Jonathan Zittrain on x

  Timnit Gebru's work on AI bias is necessary and pathbreaking. The prospect that she'd simply be instructed by her employer to withdraw her academic work-in-progress — with no discussion — implicates all the church/state issues of corporations hosting academic research units. http…

• @aprilaser April Glaser on x

  One former employee who the NLRB ruled this week was unlawfully fired after labor organizing at Google, @laurenceb, had incisive comments in response to Dr. Gebru's firing https://www.nbcnews.com/... https://twitter.com/...

• @mmitchell_ai MMitchell on x

  Today dawns a new horrible life-changing loss in a year of horrible life-changing losses. I can't well articulate the pain of losing @timnitGebru as my co-lead. I've been able to excel because of her—like so many others. I'm mostly in shock. What should I be doing right now?

• @bdsams Brad Sams on x

  I genuinely wonder (and worry) about where Google is headed. https://twitter.com/...

• @aprilaser April Glaser on x

  Less than 1 percent of Google's tech employees are Black women https://www.nbcnews.com/...

• @k8em0 Katie Moussouris on x

  When people think it's “easy once you've made a name for yourself” they are thinking mainly of white men. The higher non-wm climb, the harder to fall, & the more it hurts because after what you've accomplished, you'd think you'd be safe. Racism & sexism ensure you're never safe. …

• @digitallybones Sahil Mohan Gupta on x

  Apple is cashing in, yet again https://twitter.com/...

• @4sweb @4sweb on x

  We stand with Dr Timnit Gebru, who was fired from her position at Google, after she co-authored a research paper that raised concerns about Google's AI/language models. This matter is a question of academic integrity, censorship, and Google's commitments to DEI. https://twitter.c…

• @frankpasquale Frank Pasquale on x

  “Though most AI researchers acknowledge that large language models don't actually understand language and are merely excellent at manipulating it, Big Tech can make money from models that manipulate language more accurately, so it keeps investing in them.” https://twitter.com/...

• @safiyanoble Safiya Umoja Noble PhD on x

  This. The Black, LGBTG, and women of color who do this work are my heroes. We put our careers on the line to take on these giant, powerful men snd companies. We are denied promotions we've earned, we are unsupported as grad students, or maligned by our peers. And still we rise. h…

• @oliviasolon Olivia Solon on x

  The #IStandWithTimnit campaign is gathering momentum inside Google - more than 1,200 Googlers have signed the statement of solidarity within 24 hours https://www.nbcnews.com/...

• @novallswift Novall Swift on x

  @DigitallyBones This is a personal social account. I don't speak on behalf of Apple. I'm an engineer, not a recruiter. It comes from a good place.

• @celiahodent Celia Hodent on x

  All seems to be going well in terms of #inclusion at Google, as well as #ethics regarding their #AI work... What kind of a surreal move is this? https://twitter.com/...

• @jenstirrup @jenstirrup on x

  I put my career on the line by handing back the #MVPBuzz Microsoft MVP Award after harassment and bullying. It was a scary time but I could not continue being diminished anymore by takers who stood silent about my treatment. I feel for @timnitGebru today. https://twitter.com/...

• @dseetharaman Deepa Seetharaman on x

  This paper sounds important & fascinating, especially the part about the near-impossibility of auditing these systems for bias because of their size. “A methodology that relies on datasets too large to document is therefore inherently risky.” https://twitter.com/...

• @maddiestone Maddie Stone on x

  Google is better with @timnitGebru. Googlers, please consider signing this letter in support of Timnit. It matters. https://googlewalkout.medium.com/ ...

• @oliviasolon Olivia Solon on x

  The research paper that Google said @timnitGebru had to retract looked ethical problems with large-scale machine learning models including their environmental impact and potential to encode biases. Google uses one such model to power its search engine. https://www.nbcnews.com/...

• @juliacarriew Julia Carrie Wong on x

  It's really weird to keep insisting that someone resigned when she says she didn't. https://twitter.com/...

• @novallswift Novall Swift on x

  Hi all. Apple has growing efforts in AI Ethics and we care about doing what's right. I've made personal connections with folks who are hiring in AI/ML and I would love to speak with anyone who worked with Dr. Gebru who might be looking for a change. My DMs are open.

• @brookeobie @brookeobie on x

  Corporate heads love your courage until you use it with them. https://twitter.com/...

• @ericajoy Erica Joy on x

  💖💖💖 for the support displayed here. but dear god i wish it wasn't required so frequently. https://twitter.com/...

• @vcastillo630 Vivianne Castillo on x

  What has happened to @timnitGebru is infuriating & triggering. Her firing shows me that no matter how world-renowned, respected & brilliant you are in tech, it'll never be enough to protect you from White supremacy's belief that Black folks are to be submissive. #IStandWithTimnit…

• @bobbyallyn Bobby Allyn on x

  200+ Google employees now demanding explanation from executives about why AI scientist @timnitGebru was fired over research paper into the ethics and environment impact of Google's AI systems https://www.npr.org/...

• @drewharwell Drew Harwell on x

  @nitashatiku @timnitGebru Hard to overstate Gebru's influence - both for the AI field and for researchers of color who saw her as a Silicon Valley inspiration. Her research (like https://gendershades.org/) shaped global understanding of algorithmic bias and facial recognition's r…

• @timnitgebru Timnit Gebru on x

  EXACTLY. I was just saying. It is called brain women and ALLIES. And the allies were like hell naw get out of here. And I was told so many people were responding to it and I didn't even know cause I didn't have access by then. Its crazy. https://twitter.com/...

• @sifill_ldf Sherrilyn Ifill on x

  This is absolutely infuriating. I am a huge fan and supporter of the work and uncompromising voice of @timnitGebru. I have learned so much from her about AI bias. What a disaster. https://twitter.com/...

• @drewharwell Drew Harwell on x

  Great @math_rachel thread on @timnitGebru's work: “Assume that everyone here has something great to contribute” https://twitter.com/...

• @_karenhao Karen Hao on x

  If you're wondering what Google was so terrified of @timnitGebru publishing, I got a copy of the paper. Here's my best summary of what it says. Thank you to @emilymbender who coauthored the work for sending it my way. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ...

• @eileenguo Eileen Guo on x

  “We are working at a scale where the people building the things can't actually get their arms around the data,” says coauthor @emilymbender. https://twitter.com/...

• @techreview @techreview on x

  We got a copy of the research paper that forced Timnit Gebru out of Google. In it, the company's star ethics researcher highlighted the risks of large language models, which are key to Google's business. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ...

• @lisawshapiro Lisa Wood Shapiro on x

  from @_KarenHao “Gebru's draft paper points out that the sheer resources required to build and sustain such large AI models means they tend to benefit wealthy organizations, while climate change hits marginalized communities hardest.” https://www.technologyreview.com/ ...

• @azeem Azeem Azhar on x

  the inconvenient truth seems to be that @timnitGebru & others highlighted real problems of prejudice and bias in the large scale language models Google is rolling out for its key search product. Cc @JeffDean / Cracking work from @_KarenHao cc @emilymbender https://twitter.com/...

• @rachelcoldicutt Rachel Coldicutt on x

  This is vital research for everyone deploying services based on large-scale language models - not just Google but governments, charities, businesses. Efficiencies aren't efficient if they deepen structural bias. Thanks @timnitGebru for doing, and standing by, this important work.…

• @superwuster Tim Wu on x

  On Google firing Timnit Gebru — the whole idea of a vague “internal review” that Google researchers need pass crazy to me (if for anything but trade secrets/ IP) Risk of censoring research seems high. I'm trying imagine if Columbia U had that... https://www.technologyreview.com/ …

• @catherine_mayer Catherine Mayer on x

  The best explainer yet on why Google forced out the amazing @timnitGebru - and how important her work is https://twitter.com/...

• @drewharwell Drew Harwell on x

  New from @nitashatiku and me: Google's star AI ethics researcher @timnitGebru says she was fired after sending a critical email. Highly regarded, and one of few Black women in a senior AI role, she had told coworkers she felt “constantly dehumanized” https://www.washingtonpost.co…

• @kharijohnson Khari Johnson on x

  “If a large language model... can manipulate linguistic form well enough to cheat its way through tests meant to require language understanding, have we learned anything of value about how to build machine language understanding or have we been led down the garden path?” https://…

• @kateconger O...K on x

  “This shows how some large tech companies only support ethics and fairness and other A.I.-for-social-good-causes as long as their positive PR impact outweighs the extra scrutiny they bring.” https://www.nytimes.com/...

• @ram_ssk Ram Shankar on x

  So @GoogleAI policy says “Intellectual freedom is an essential ingredient in research progress” Bone chilling reporting @dinabass on @timnitGebru firing shows this policy, is but pablum All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten @JeffDean hands https://www.bloomberg.com/...

• @juliasilge Julia Silge on x

  Definitely interested 👀 in the upcoming research paper on ethical issues surrounding large language models that apparently precipitated all this: https://www.bloomberg.com/...

• @josheidelson Josh Eidelson on x

  “She has also been an outspoken critic of the lack of diversity & unequal treatment of Black workers at tech companies, particularly...Google, & said she believed her dismissal was meant to send a message to the rest of Google's employees not to speak up” https://www.bloomberg.co…

• @ibjiyongi @ibjiyongi on x

  Google fired their head of ethical AI for trying to be ethical https://twitter.com/...

• @hughlangley Hugh Langley on x

  Last night, @timnitGebru, co-lead of Google's Ethical AI team, said she was fired over an email she sent to one of Google's research groups. The email was related to an as yet unpublished research paper on the potential harms of language models https://www.businessinsider.com/ ..…

• @juliaxgulia Julia Kaganskiy on x

  Once again tech companies demonstrate that their AI & Ethics programs exist primarily as a PR front so they can avoid actually doing the work of developing ethical standards and practices. https://twitter.com/...

• @histoftech Mar Hicks on x

  In 2019 Google dissolved its AI ethics board rather than remove a xenophobic & transphobic member. Now they've fired an AI expert who helped make their products less racist & sexist, seemingly for doing her job well. This corporation keeps telling us who they are. Believe them. h…

• @histoftech Mar Hicks on x

  Timnit Gebru, technical co-lead of Google's ethical AI team, & leader in the field of AI ethics, was just fired by google for trying to do her job. “She is widely respected for her work examining bias in AI & is a rare senior Black woman in the field.” https://www.businessinsider…

• @zenalbatross @zenalbatross on x

  Google just fired one of its only Black woman research scientists and her colleagues in the A.I. ethics field are quite understandably very angry about it #ISupportTimnit https://www.vice.com/...

• @histoftech Mar Hicks on x

  The company that dissolved its ethics board for being unethical has now fired a leading researcher they employed to ensure their products were not racist and sexist🙃🙃🙃 This corporation keeps telling us who they are. Believe them. https://twitter.com/...

• @jeffdean Jeff Dean on x

  I understand the concern over Timnit's resignation from Google. She's done a great deal to move the field forward with her research. I wanted to share the email I sent to Google Research and some thoughts on our research process. https://docs.google.com/...

• @_karenhao Karen Hao on x

  @MichaelSmithLL @mer__edith @timnitGebru @emilymbender @JeffDean Hi Michael, here's a good account from @tsimonite at @WIRED. Timnit tried to work with Google on a solution but management refused. https://www.wired.com/... https://twitter.com/...

• @ainowinstitute @ainowinstitute on x

  We stand with Dr. Timnit Gebru, and are grateful for her brilliant and tireless work. If you want to show your support, Dr. Gebru's colleagues have drafted this petition: https://googlewalkout.medium.com/ ... #IStandWithTimnit

• @daiwaka Daisuke Wakabayashi on x

  36 hours after @timnitGebru went public with her departure from Google, here is the company's first (carefully-lawyered) public comment. You can see from the replies that it's not being received well. https://twitter.com/...

• @catherineadenle Catherine Adenle on x

  Seriously?! The day Google was found to have illegally spied on and terminated activists was the day they fired their top #AI #ethics expert who is a black woman. Poor judgement/PR. #diversitynotdivision #DiversityMatters #bias #WIT #WomenWhoCode #inclusion https://twitter.com/..…

• @grady_booch Grady Booch on x

  I look forward to someday reading @timnitGebru's research paper. https://twitter.com/...

• @biosbenk David Benkeser on x

  This whole saga is hugely disappointing, but not unexpected. Tech has opened up a lot of great research opportunities for quantitative researchers. One thing those jobs lack that's critical for research in sensitive fields? Tenure. https://twitter.com/...

• @kwerb Kevin Werbach on x

  This article provides details on the research paper on ethical dangers of large language models that led to @timnitGebru's ouster at Google. https://venturebeat.com/... via @VentureBeat @kharijohnson

• @moonalice Roger McNamee on x

  [tweet!] 15 yard penalty on Google for unsportsmanlike conduct. Once known for innovative HR, Google has gone full-on Charles Dickens. https://twitter.com/...

• @work_matters Bob Sutton on x

  Don't Be Evil? I fear they stopped using that slogan for a reason. This is so discouraging. I guess the road to hell is paved with good intentions. At least until you get to hell, and can't resist the temptations once you've arrived. Sigh, they once seemed like such good people h…

• @kharijohnson Khari Johnson on x

  “In summary, we advocate for an approach to research that centers the people who stand to be affected by the resulting technology, with a broad view on the possible ways that technology can affect people,” the paper reads. https://venturebeat.com/...

• @ngkabra Navin Kabra on x

  “Stochastic Parrots” is a great name for all machine learning (as opposed to artificial intelligence). Apparently, the paper that @TimnitGebru was fired over has a title that starts with “On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: ...” https://venturebeat.com/...

• @ubiquity75 Sarah T. Roberts on x

  Only solution was to immediately fire her. That's a lot of words to say that. https://twitter.com/...

• @mmarshall Matt Marshall on x

  This problem won't go away for Google. Good insight piece from @kharijohnson https://venturebeat.com/... @VentureBeat #aiethics

• @parissathena @parissathena on x

  You already f*cked up by saying she resigned lol anything else you post is completely irrelevant. https://twitter.com/...

• @lexialex @lexialex on x

  This is a powerful white man gaslighting a Black woman. Not cool. She said she was fired. I believe her. https://twitter.com/...

• @marilink Mariln Gonzalo on x

  “The research paper surrounding Gebru's exit questions the wisdom of building large language models and examines who benefits from them, and who is impacted by negative consequences of their deployment” https://venturebeat.com/...

• @kimcrayton1 @kimcrayton1 on x

  Hey @JeffDean...I see that you follow me so you should know that this response as a mediocre , unremarkable, white dude in tech is inadequate, at best, and definitely harms the very Black community you and @Google profess to support https://twitter.com/...

• @blackamazon @blackamazon on x

  This email doesn't reference any of the research it believes is more efficacious versus Timnit's . It provides no counter to Timnit's timeline of events besides implying she was nit supposed to ask despite being head of AI The fact you sent this email doesn't answer concerns http…

• @caseynewton Casey Newton on x

  Was talking to a manager yesterday about the Timnit Gebru situation and they said that if an employee threatens to resign in writing, employers can legally treat that as a resignation. Anyone else hear this / have experience here? Feel free to DM

• @nitashatiku Nitasha Tiku on x

  There's much to say & learn still about Google firing a pioneer like @timnitGebru, who gave its AI ethics credibility you just can't replicate. But it's worth focusing for a min on the fact that the email she sent was to an ERG for women and allies in AI https://www.washingtonpos…

• @math_rachel Rachel Thomas on x

  I have long admired @timnitGebru for her brilliance, moral courage, clear voice in speaking up for what is right, & influential scholarship. It is truly terrible that Google would do this. In this thread, I want to share some of Timnit's work I love https://twitter.com/...

• @shanselman Scott Hanselman on x

  Read and learn about @timnitGebru and the groundbreaking work she did in AI Ethics. It's unreal that she was fired in the middle of a disagreement about a paper. She asks hard questions and uses AI to shine a light on, and life up others. She should be supported. https://twitter.…

• @dinabass Dina Bass on x

  I spoke with @timnitGebru on what happened leading up to her removal from Google, including the research paper that started the whole issue and what she asked Google to do in her email suggesting she'd resign otherwise: https://www.bloomberg.com/... with @mhbergen and @sbanjo

• @itsafronomics Anna Gifty on x

  Let me tell how bad this is: Dr. @timnitGebru is probably one of THE MOST prominent Black women in AI and in SilIcon Valley. The same Silicon Valley where Black women make up less than 0.5% of technology leadership and workforce. This is worse than bad. https://www.bloomberg.com/…