Sources: Google's Ethical AI group was in turmoil long before the ouster of Gebru and Mitchell, after friction over handling of harassment and bias allegations
@mmitchell_ai regarding her trailblazing. I am in awe of the work that she and @timnitGebru and their team carried out, despite the adverse environment (as detailed in this article). https://twitter.com/... Timnit Gebru / @timnitgebru : Reading this article by @NicoAGrant @dinabass and @josheidelson https://www.bloomberg.com/... Alistair Barr / @alistairmbarr : Google Ethical AI researchers wanted to know if Waymo's driverless car software detects Black pedestrians as well as lighter skinned people. The pushback was hard and the project may never become public https://www.bloomberg.com/... via @technology @NicoAGrant @dinabass @josheidelson Nico Grant / @nicoagrant : In one instance, they were temporarily stymied from looking at a dataset already released to the public by Waymo, to look at whether its systems could accurately detect people of different skin tones and ability statuses. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
Before Google's Ethical AI group imploded over @timnitGebru and @mmitchell_ai ousters it was mired in conflict over harassment, sexism, racism & the limits of Google willingness to confront the impact of its AI: https://www.bloomberg.com/... @NicoAGrant @josheidelson and I took a…
@alphabetworkers
@alphabetworkers on x
The Ethical AI team faced uphills battles from the start, fighting “harassment, racism & sexism,” as a dozen+ members of the team say here. How can Google say it's taking responsible AI seriously if this is how team members were treated? https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@eileenguo
Eileen Guo on x
ICYMI - this deep dive into the turmoil at @google's #AIEthics team is illuminating. TL/DR: raises or confirms serious questions abt tech's ability/willingness to really confront its blind spots on...well, ethics, and self-regulate. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@timnitgebru
Timnit Gebru on x
This whole saga has given @mmitchell_ai and I even more appreciation for @emilymbender's incredible advocacy in addition to her impeccable scholarship. https://twitter.com/...
@karaswisher
Kara Swisher on x
Important read about ethical AI controversies at Google https://twitter.com/...
@emilymbender
Emily M. Bender on x
“And I used to say, I'm trying to pave a path forward using myself as the pavement.” — @mmitchell_ai regarding her trailblazing. I am in awe of the work that she and @timnitGebru and their team carried out, despite the adverse environment (as detailed in this article). https://tw…
@eminietfeld
Emi Nietfeld on x
Must-read piece about the despicable environment @Google Research. Makes me sick how @JeffDean gets an entire graf about the ways he's helped Black people... I'm SURE @timnitGebru and @mmitchell_ai have also donated to charity!! https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@jathansadowski
Jathan Sadowski on x
Sounds like Google is taking things well. Definitely not flailing, lashing out, stepping on rakes, losing its reputation. “We're actually laughing! See: ha ha ha.” https://www.bloomberg.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@timnitgebru
Timnit Gebru on x
Reading this article by @NicoAGrant @dinabass and @josheidelson https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@alistairmbarr
Alistair Barr on x
Google Ethical AI researchers wanted to know if Waymo's driverless car software detects Black pedestrians as well as lighter skinned people. The pushback was hard and the project may never become public https://www.bloomberg.com/... via @technology @NicoAGrant @dinabass @josheide…
@nicoagrant
Nico Grant on x
In one instance, they were temporarily stymied from looking at a dataset already released to the public by Waymo, to look at whether its systems could accurately detect people of different skin tones and ability statuses. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@dinabass
Dina Bass on x
Google took months to resolve harassment claims against a researcher, even giving them a key new role after issues were raised, people told us. Then Google legal was vague about whether it would protect whistleblowers and advised they get their own lawyers.
@mmitchell_ai
MMitchell on x
Shaking while I read this. The past 4 years at Google brought trauma and near-constant drama for me. Still, @timnitGebru and I cranked out papers and made a new org. Still, that wasn't good enough to avoid being thrown out and internationally disparaged. https://www.bloomberg.com…
@josheidelson
Josh Eidelson on x
“This team wasn't started because Google was feeling particularly magnanimous... It was started because Meg Mitchell pushed for it to be a team and to build it out.” https://www.bloomberg.com/... @alexhanna “It still feels like we're in a holding pattern” https://twitter.com/...
@josheidelson
Josh Eidelson on x
Google was vague about whether it would defend its employees who reported a researcher's alleged sexual misconduct, saying it would depend on the nature of his suit, and company attorneys suggested the women hire their own lawyer, people familiar told us https://www.bloomberg.com…
@josheidelson
Josh Eidelson on x
New feature w/ @NicoAGrant & @dinabass: Google's Ethical AI team has been running aground for years, mired in conflict over the handling of alleged harassment, racism and sexism, according to over a dozen current and former employees and AI researchers https://www.bloomberg.com/.…