Google’s DeepMind UK Team Reportedly Moves to Unionize Amid Growing Ethical Concerns

Around 300 members of Google’s London-based DeepMind team are seeking to unionize with the Communication Workers Union, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The move comes amid growing internal unrest over Google's removal of its public pledge not to use artificial intelligence for weapons or surveillance purposes. Employees are also voicing concerns about Google’s $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli military — a deal that has already triggered protests across other parts of the company.

Internal Tensions
One source involved in the unionization effort told the FT that many DeepMind staffers feel “duped” by the company’s recent actions, having joined under the belief that DeepMind would remain strictly committed to ethical AI development. Correspondence reviewed by the FT shows that at least five DeepMind employees have already quit over these issues.

DeepMind employs roughly 2,000 people in the UK, making the 300 unionizing workers a significant early bloc. If successful, the move could mark one of the largest organized labor efforts within Google's AI operations to date.

Google Responds
In response to the report, a Google spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to internal dialogue:

"We encourage constructive and open dialogue with all of our employees."

However, the spokesperson did not comment specifically on the unionization effort or the ethical criticisms being raised.

Employee and Public Reactions
The news has ignited strong reactions both inside and outside Google. Some DeepMind employees expressed solidarity on internal forums, with one post reportedly reading, “We joined to build beneficial AI — not to enable militarized surveillance.”

On X (formerly Twitter), digital rights activists praised the union effort. "Workers are often the first line of defense against unethical AI deployment," tweeted one prominent AI ethics researcher. Meanwhile, some industry commentators pointed out the larger trend: "This reflects a growing rift between AI developers and Big Tech leadership over the future uses of AI."

Why It Matters
Unionization efforts at DeepMind highlight broader tensions brewing across the tech industry, where employees are increasingly challenging corporate decisions about AI ethics, military contracts, and transparency.

Although previous union drives at Google and Alphabet involved only small fractions of the workforce and lacked bargaining power, the DeepMind team’s focused effort — driven by moral concerns — could mark a turning point in the intersection of labor rights and AI ethics.