Google research manager resigns amid fallout from fired AI researchers

Samy Bengio was a 'strong advocate' of both Timnit Gebru and Margaret Mitchell

Google research manager Samy Bengio has announced that he is resigning from Google 'to pursue other exciting opportunities' - a move that has been linked to the removal of AI researchers Timnit Gebru and Margaret Mitchell.

Bengio announced his departure in an internal email, seen by Reuters.

The decision comes two months after Google reorganised its research unit, moving oversight of the AI ethics team from Bengio to VP Marian Croak - a move that slashed Bengio's responsibilities.

"This is one of the most difficult emails I can think of sending to all of you: I have decided to leave Google in order to pursue other exciting opportunities," Bengio wrote.

"There's no doubt that leaving this wonderful team is really difficult."

"I learned so much with all of you, in terms of machine learning research of course, but also on how difficult yet important it is to organise a large team of researchers so as to promote long term ambitious research, exploration, rigor, diversity and inclusion."

His last day will be 28^th April.

Andrew Ng, who earlier worked at Google Brain group and now runs software start-up Landing AI, said that Bengio "has been instrumental to moving forward AI technology and ethics".

Bengio joined Google in 2007 and became a high-profile researcher at a decade-spanning research group known as Brain. He also oversaw the company's AI ethics group, until the controversial ousting of two female researchers: Gebru and Mitchell.

Gebru was terminated in December while working on a researcher paper that reviewed the dangers of large language models. An investigation into Mitchell began in January and she was fired one month later, over alleged violation of Google's code of conduct and security policies. The company said she had moved confidential business-sensitive documents and private employee data outside the company.

Both researchers had previously called for greater diversity among Google's research staff, and voiced concern that the firm was starting to censor academic papers critical of Google's products.

Gebru was reportedly working on a paper that scrutinised bias in artificial intelligence before she was fired. It specifically mentioned Google's own technology, which the company uses in its search business.

Gebru submitted her paper for internal review in October, but it was rejected. She was told to retract her paper or face dismissal.

Gebru's termination sparked outrage among thousands of Google employees and other members of the tech industry. A group of researchers from the company's ethical AI team wrote a letter to executives, demanding the company commit to new policies and bring greater academic freedom for workers.

While Bengio did not mention Gebru or Mitchell in his email, they influenced his decision to quit Google, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Bengio was a strong advocate of both researchers. Following Gebru's departure in December, he also wrote on Facebook that he was stunned that Gebru was removed without him being notified.