Google reportedly promises change to research team after high-profile firings

Enlarge / Google, by night. (credit: 400tmax | Getty Images)

Google is reportedly promising that it will change its research review procedures this year in its AI division in an apparent bid to restore employee confidence in the wake of two high-profile firings of prominent women from the division.

Reuters obtained a recording from an internal meeting this month in which Google Research executives promised to better address "sensitive topics" and research critical of Google's own business operations.

By the end of the second quarter, the approvals process for research papers will be more smooth and consistent, division Chief Operating Officer Maggie Johnson reportedly told employees in the meeting. Research teams will have access to a questionnaire that allows them to assess their projects for risk and navigate review, and Johnson predicted that a majority of papers would not require additional vetting by Google.

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