# Google employees' protest against Pentagon contract shows limited impact Workers opposing military use of AI models are losing influence as tech firms prioritize defense deals. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-05-04 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fb88d15c-bb87-4378-8598-b6c9f2fb20f0 ## Google's new Pentagon deal Google signed an agreement allowing its Gemini AI models to be used in US defense networks for 'any lawful purpose.' While reminiscent of 2018's Project Maven protests, the company's stance appears firmer this time. Competitors like OpenAI and xAI making similar deals strengthens Google's position. ## Organized employee backlash About 600 Google employees signed a protest letter after the deal leaked. DeepMind researcher Alex Turner called the ability to modify AI safety filters at government request 'shameful.' However, signatures remain far below the thousands seen in 2018 protests. ## Different dynamics from Project Maven In 2018, Project Maven for drone targeting AI was canceled after mass protests and resignations. Today, Google management proudly announced continued military collaboration. The company restricted internal communication channels, making organization harder. ## Industry-wide trend OpenAI, xAI, Nvidia, Microsoft and Amazon signed similar military contracts. Only Anthropic refused, being labeled a 'supply chain risk' by the Pentagon. Google uses competitors' parallel moves as justification for its defense strategy. ## Shifts in AI ethics principles Google removed its 'no weapons use' pledge from updated AI principles in 2025. This change reflects the company's transformed approach to military projects. Critics argue it opens doors for battlefield AI applications. ## Declining employee influence Former Google employee Laura Nolan notes tech layoffs and cost-cutting weakened workers' bargaining power. In this environment where collective action is harder, protests seem unlikely to change management decisions. ## Transparency concerns Some DeepMind employees say the contract clashes with company values and they can't see how AI will be used. An anonymous researcher shared disappointment: 'We took pride in developing AI for good purposes for so long.' ## Legal and commercial pressures Google argues rejecting military contracts would create significant legal and business risks. The company also prioritizes such profitable deals within its AI investment strategy, leaving ethical concerns secondary. ## Shifting power balances Tech workers' historical resistance to defense projects weakens against AI race pressures and military budget appeal. Companies like Google prefer measures that break employee resistance rather than convincing them. ## AI and the military-industrial complex Google's Pentagon deal shows blurring lines between civilian tech and defense industries. As AI ethics debates grow, corporate profit-driven approaches reshape global security dynamics, demanding redefinition of tech workers' social responsibility role. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/05/04/google-employee-backlash-pentagon-ai-contract-power-waned-since-project-maven/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._