Google’s Pentagon AI deal draws employee backlash, protest in US

WASHINGTON / SAN FRANCISCO (MNTV) – Google’s $200 million deal with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply artificial intelligence services has sparked internal dissent, with hundreds of employees opposing its potential military use.

The agreement, signed Monday, allows the Pentagon to use Google’s AI “for any lawful purpose,” according to reports, while barring its use in lethal autonomous weapons and limiting domestic surveillance without human oversight. It also permits the government to request adjustments to the company’s AI safety settings and gives Google no authority to veto operational decisions.

More than 600 employees, including staff from its DeepMind division, sent a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai urging the company to reject classified military work. The workers warned that such projects could enable harmful uses, including surveillance and weapons systems, without transparency or employee oversight.

“The only way to guarantee that Google does not become associated with such harms is to reject any classified workloads,” the letter said.

A Google spokesperson defended the deal, saying the company is part of a broader group of tech firms supporting national security efforts.

The move underscores a widening divide within the tech sector, as companies pursue lucrative defense contracts while facing ethical concerns from employees and experts.

Experts warn that expanding AI in warfare could increase civilian harm, while US officials argue that slowing development risks ceding ground to rivals such as China.

The shift reflects a broader trend, with companies like OpenAI revising policies to allow “national security” uses of AI tools. Experts have also raised long-term concerns about advanced AI systems, warning of risks if their capabilities outpace human control.