DeepMind staff bound by lifetime bans on criticizing Google, silencing AI safety speech, WP reports
TorturedPoet30 · reddit · 2026-11-04
Per a Washington Post report, some Google DeepMind London employees have employment contracts banning them from criticizing the company for life—even after leaving—and blocking them from communicating publicly about AI's potential impacts. Two anonymous staff confirmed the contract language; while officials say they won't pursue former employees who speak out, staffers are pushing for updated contract wording for legal certainty. The post also recaps a turbulent year at DeepMind London: unionization attempts, opposition to military contracts, and researchers leaving over safety concerns, with the author noting the irony given Demis Hassabis's vocal AI safety advocacy.
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