Workers inside Google’s artificial intelligence division are pushing executives to release them from non-disparagement agreements, arguing that they must be free to inform the public about the risks of the technology they are working to advance, according to people inside the company.
In London — a major base for its AI division, Google DeepMind, which grew out of the 2014 acquisition of a British start-up — some staff members are forbidden by their employment contracts from criticizing the company for the rest of their lives, even if they leave the firm, according to a contract reviewed by The Washington Post and interviews with two current Google DeepMind workers. The workers spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution from the company.
