Google fired one of its top AI researchers, and she says it’s because she demanded more protections against bias in AI.

Google fired one of its top AI researchers after she demanded more protections against bias in AI.<br><br>In a statement shared on Twitter, researcher Timnit Gebru said, “Instead of being fired, I would much rather be an employee right now. But that decision lies not with me.”<br><br>Gebru said she requested extra precautions to make sure AI systems used by Google were equitable. She argued that currently, AI systems could exacerbate social problems like racism if used incorrectly.<br><br>The firm has confirmed a senior researcher left the company but has not given a reason for the decision.<br><br>It is not the first time that Google has parted company with a high-profile AI ethicist. More than 1,500 Google employees have now signed a letter calling for her reinstatement.<br><br>More than 1,500 Google employees have already signed a letter calling for her reinstatement. Former employees have also criticized the decision.<br><br>“We are sad to hear Timnit has left the company,” the company said in a statement.<br><br>Gebru said she demanded more precautions amid worries AI systems could become biased and used against the firm’s black female staff.<br><br>Previously in December 2020 it was reported she was fired after releasing a paper that highlighted problems with AI bias.<br><br>At the time, it was claimed she was let go after releasing the paper. However, she was still an employee until yesterday.<br><br>Gebru was the co-lead of Google’s Ethical AI research team. She previously said the company threatened to fire her after she penned the paper.<br><br>The paper argued that large AI systems could perpetuate biases and called for big technology companies to check how they use the systems. .<br><br>She said she was asked to retract the paper or remove the names of Google employees. Google has argued that it fired her after she gave the firm an ultimatum that she would resign if they did not retract the paper.<br><br>She previously said that after she refused to retract the paper, the company threatened to fire her and rescind a job offer it made to a student she was mentoring.<br><br>She posted a message on Twitter saying: “I’m so grateful for the hundreds of people that have reached out and the outpouring of support. I see each and every one of you, I will read each of your messages and really really appreciate you.”<br><br>Several employees have criticized the decision on Twitter.<br><br>DeepMind’s chief business officer said: “Google is seriously messing up by firing @timnitGebru. She has more integrity than the entire senior leadership team. They fired her bc they disagree with her paper and she didn’t want to retract it. She is an iconic national hero”<br><br>Computing said it has approached Google for comment.<br><br>I'm not sure if this is breaking news yet but I couldn't find anything on it anywhere else, and I don't have enough karma to post. Also I tried to post it to r/unpopularopinion and they didn't let it through.<br><br>Edit: She wasn't fired in December 2020, she was asked to resign and threatened with the firm rescinding the job offer it made to a student she was mentoring. This has been updated in the post. Thanks to u/evan2421 for pointing this out.