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Google defends scrapping AI pledges and DEI goals in all-staff meeting

19 points by vinni2 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
falcor84 2y ago
This is really ironic: > The third-most-popular question employees asked was why the AI summaries were so bad. > “The AI summaries of questions on Ask are terrible. Can we go back to answering the questions people actually asked?” it read.
nonrandomstring 2y ago
There needs to be a hall of fame for some Google employees. In any company there's always some unfortunate person whose job it is to defend the indefensible, to lie for the team and throw their dignity into the mud. It takes a particular kind of indifference to humanity and a belief that the world will forget and forgive. On this occasion their names are Melonie Parker and Kent Walker. It's a shame they never had the opportunity to learn from colleagues like Timnit Gebru, David Baker, Vinesh Kannan, Christina Curley, Margaret Mitchell and other Googlers who had the balls to do the right thing, denounce the company or quit.
- beanjuiceII 2y ago
  'do the right thing' sounds like google are doing the right thing
  - nonrandomstring 2y ago
    oops, I see. And who knows they may be. For defence against enemies with bots we better have skills building bots. I'm not really commenting on the morality of Google so much as the cheapness with which conscience and voice gets bought. It's what bugged me about Paula Vennells in the Horizon scandal. The Anglican priest in a Faustian techno tale.
- greazy 2y ago
  In the near future, thoes people will write a book exposing the complex dynamics of the decisions during these tumultuous times. How they tried to work within the system to change it for the better. Or some bullshit to try to rewrite history in their favor. It's especially egregious for someone who is part of a minority group, that represents minority groups and (previously) fought for them.
silexia 2y ago
[flagged]
- sitkack 2y ago
  The founders never left or ceded control.
lucasyvas 2y ago
DEI aside, it seems like very few people understand the concept of a core value, or don’t have them. The new position is problematic to many, myself included, but the really absurd thing is the flip flopping. Values are great, but apparently you can’t shoot them… that makes about as much sense as the pivot here. Companies benefit from having values that are allowed to evolve, but not when they change every time the wind blows. What kind of person wants to work somewhere like that? It’s exhausting for one, but it also undermines confidence the leadership has any brain for themselves or vision for the company. What this really says is: “If you want to work at a company with a vision for products, services, employees and customers… don’t work at Google”.
Cornbilly 2y ago
The DEI and pride support was marketing dressed up as HR.

19 points by vinni2 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

This is really ironic: > The third-most-popular question employees asked was why the AI summaries were so bad. > “The AI summaries of questions on Ask are terrible. Can we go back to answering the questions people actually asked?” it read.

nonrandomstring 2y ago

There needs to be a hall of fame for some Google employees. In any company there's always some unfortunate person whose job it is to defend the indefensible, to lie for the team and throw their dignity into the mud. It takes a particular kind of indifference to humanity and a belief that the world will forget and forgive. On this occasion their names are Melonie Parker and Kent Walker. It's a shame they never had the opportunity to learn from colleagues like Timnit Gebru, David Baker, Vinesh Kannan, Christina Curley, Margaret Mitchell and other Googlers who had the balls to do the right thing, denounce the company or quit.

beanjuiceII 2y ago
'do the right thing' sounds like google are doing the right thing
- nonrandomstring 2y ago
  oops, I see. And who knows they may be. For defence against enemies with bots we better have skills building bots. I'm not really commenting on the morality of Google so much as the cheapness with which conscience and voice gets bought. It's what bugged me about Paula Vennells in the Horizon scandal. The Anglican priest in a Faustian techno tale.
greazy 2y ago
In the near future, thoes people will write a book exposing the complex dynamics of the decisions during these tumultuous times. How they tried to work within the system to change it for the better. Or some bullshit to try to rewrite history in their favor. It's especially egregious for someone who is part of a minority group, that represents minority groups and (previously) fought for them.

silexia 2y ago

[flagged]

sitkack 2y ago
The founders never left or ceded control.

lucasyvas 2y ago

DEI aside, it seems like very few people understand the concept of a core value, or don’t have them. The new position is problematic to many, myself included, but the really absurd thing is the flip flopping. Values are great, but apparently you can’t shoot them… that makes about as much sense as the pivot here. Companies benefit from having values that are allowed to evolve, but not when they change every time the wind blows. What kind of person wants to work somewhere like that? It’s exhausting for one, but it also undermines confidence the leadership has any brain for themselves or vision for the company. What this really says is: “If you want to work at a company with a vision for products, services, employees and customers… don’t work at Google”.

Cornbilly 2y ago

The DEI and pride support was marketing dressed up as HR.