- In The Loop AI
- Posts
- DeepMind UK staff push to unionize over Israel deals
DeepMind UK staff push to unionize over Israel deals
Xi calls for AI self-sufficiency amid U.S. tech rivalry
Algot Persson
April 26, 2025
In partnership with
In Today’s Issue (no fluff):
DeepMind UK staff push to unionize over Israel deals
Xi calls for AI self-sufficiency amid U.S. tech rivalry
Read time: 3 minutes
DeepMind UK staff push to unionize over Israel deals
Google, the search engine mammoth with the current best LLM, Gemini, is developed by DeepMind. In DeepMind’s London office, 300 workers plan to unionize after DeepMind announced they were selling military technology to Israel. This comes after Google removed a pledge on its website not to use AI for weapons and surveillance. Workers fear that the AI is being used to find targets and generate assassinations on the Gaza Strip.
The union effort is being coordinated with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), as staff express growing unease about the company's direction. Tensions have escalated internally, with employees citing a lack of transparency and accusing leadership of betraying DeepMind’s founding principles. The controversy comes just a year after Google fired 28 employees for protesting its cloud contracts with the Israeli government, further fueling distrust among staff. Neither Google nor DeepMind has commented publicly on the unionization efforts.
DeepMind
Start learning AI in 2025
Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.
It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.
Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.
Xi calls for AI self-sufficiency amid U.S. tech rivalry
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “self-reliance and self-strengthening” in AI development at a Politburo meeting Friday, urging China to close technology gaps with the U.S. Speaking via state media, Xi said China must leverage its “new whole national system” to drive AI innovation, industrial growth, and applications. Policy support will include government procurement, IP protection, research funding, and talent development.
Xi’s comments come as Chinese firms like DeepSeek draw attention for building competitive models without top-end chips, challenging assumptions that U.S. sanctions would cripple China’s AI ambitions. Xi stressed the need to master core technologies such as high-end chips and basic software, and to create independent and controllable AI infrastructure. He also called for faster development of AI safety laws and emergency response systems to ensure “safe, reliable, and controllable” growth. Xi has previously said AI should not be a “game of rich countries,” and renewed calls for more international cooperation.
How was today's newsletter? |
Reply