Google workers want Heritage president off AI council

A group of Google employees is pushing the company to remove Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James from its new artificial intelligence (AI) council.

The workers, identified as “Googlers Against Transphobia and Hate,” say James’s record on trans and immigrant rights should disqualify her from serving on the newly announced council dedicated to ethics in AI.

“In selecting James, Google is making clear that its version of ‘ethics’ values proximity to power over the wellbeing of trans people, other LGBTQ people, and immigrants,” the group wrote in a letter, which began circulating internally on Monday at the company. By midday Monday, the letter had been signed by 855 Google employees.

The letter also received support from dozens of researchers, professors and civil society activists, with more expected throughout the day.

The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C.

Background: Google last week announced the creation of its Advanced Technology External Advisory Council (ATEAC), tasked with advising Google on the “responsible development and use of AI” in its research and products.

In the open letter, the Google employees and researchers wrote that appointing James to the council “significantly undermines Google’s position on AI ethics and fairness,” pointing out that there have been consistent civil rights concerns around some AI technology. Some AI products have failed to recognize trans people, misheard “feminine” voices and have misidentified women of color at higher rates.

And many of the ethical concerns around AI have revolved around its use by law and immigration enforcement agencies.

“Not only are James’ views counter to Google’s stated values, but they are directly counter to the project of ensuring that the development and application of AI prioritizes justice over profit,” they wrote.