Google fires founder and co-head of AI ethics unit, announces reorganization of AI teams
Google has fired Margaret Mitchell, the founder and co-head of its artificial intelligence ethics unit, for violating the company’s code of conduct.
The firing came less than three months after the controversial exit of another senior figure in the company’s AI ethics unit, Timnit Gebru.
Google said that an investigation found Mitchell had moved files outside the company.
Despite her position in the company, Mitchell was a fierce critic of Google. Both Mitchell and Gebru had campaigned for more diversity at Google and raised concerns about censorship within the company.
According to her LinkedIn, Mitchell joined Google in 2016 as a senior research scientist. Two years later, she helped start the ethical AI team alongside Gebru.
She tweeted “I’m fired” shortly after learning the company’s decision.
A day before Mitchell’s firing, Google announced the reorganization of its AI teams working on ethics and fairness.
The company said that Marian Croak, a prominent Black executive from its engineering department, would now be leading “a new center of expertise on responsible AI within Google Research.” She would report to Jeff Dean, the company’s AI division head.
Dean wanted a fresh start. In an internal email, he apologized to staff for how the company handled Gebru’s departure.
https://techgiants.news/2021-03-01-google-fires-founder-of-ai-ethics-unit.html