DeepMind—Google's external AI ethics advisory board dissolved after one week amid controversy
In March 2019, Google launched an external Advanced Technology External Advisory Council (ATEAC) to guide responsible AI development, partly fulfilling promises made when acquiring DeepMind. The board was dissolved within one week after employee backlash over the inclusion of Heritage Foundation president Kay Cole James, who had a record of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, and drone company executive Dyan Gibbens. The original DeepMind acquisition ethics board's membership was never publicly disclosed.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Oversight | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Corporate Governance | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.483 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.57)× agency (reactive ×0.75)
Evidence (1 signal)
Google dissolved its AI ethics advisory board ATEAC one week after launch following employee protests
Google's Advanced Technology External Advisory Council (ATEAC), launched in late March 2019, was shut down approximately one week later after employee-driven controversy over board membership. The board had included Heritage Foundation president Kay Cole James, who had a record of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, and drone company executive Dyan Gibbens. The original DeepMind acquisition ethics board membership was never publicly disclosed.