Google DeepMind staff push to be released from lifetime non-disparagement clauses

Workers at Google DeepMind are pressing executives to remove non-disparagement agreements that, in some UK contracts, bar them from criticizing the company for life, arguing they need to be free to warn the public about AI risks, The Washington Post reports. Google says it won't enforce the clauses against former employees and has dropped the post-employment restriction for new hires, but staff want existing contracts changed. The push follows former DeepMind engineer Sofia Liguori speaking to the BBC last month despite her contract.