Google DeepMind employees request plans to keep them ‘physically safe’ from ICE: report

Employees at Google’s DeepMind artificial intelligence lab reportedly demanded that management detail plans on how to keep them “physically safe” from ICE after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

An unnamed DeepMind employee made the request Monday on an internal message board, according to Wired, which obtained screenshots of the post.

“US focused question: What is GDM doing to keep us physically safe from ICE? The events of the past week have shown that immigration status, citizenship, or even the law is not a deterrent against detention, violence, or even death from federal operatives,” the worker was quoted as saying.

The Jan. 24 deadly shooting of Alexi Pretti set off firestorms across the US. via REUTERS

“What kinds of plans and policies are in place to ensure our safety at the office? Coming to and from work? As we have seen, government agency tactics can change and escalate quite rapidly. With offices in many metro areas across the US, are we prepared?”

The post was sent to a channel with more than 3,600 employees, said a source familiar with the matter . About 40 of them interacted with the post, with many adding a “plus emoji.”

Google did not comment.

The post went unanswered by senior management as of Monday night, according to Wired.

A DeepMind employee posted a separate message citing an incident in which a federal agent allegedly attempted to enter Google’s office in Cambridge, Mass. The entry reportedly occurred at some point last fall, though it’s unclear when the employee’s message was posted.

A sign in the reception area at the Google DeepMind headquarters in London, UK, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Google’s security chief responded to that message with details confirming that an “officer arrived at reception without notice” and was “not granted entry because they did not have a warrant and promptly left.”

Google CEO Sundar Pichai and DeepMind boss Demis Hassabis have yet to weigh in publicly on the Pretti killing. DeepMind chief scientist Jeff Dean called the shooting “absolutely shameful.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was “heartbroken” by the events in Minneapolis and told employees it was “time for de-escalation,” according to multiple reports. The exec said he’s spoken to President Trump about the situation.

OpenAI honcho Sam Altman said in an internal message that “What’s happening with ICE is going too far. There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what’s happening now, and we need to get the distinction right.”