Google AI Research Manager Samy Bengio Quits After Two Ousted From Group

Google research manager Samy Bengio, who oversaw the company’s AI ethics group until an issue led to the ouster of two female leaders, resigned on Tuesday to pursue other opportunities.

Bengio, who last managed some researchers within the Google Brain team, announced his departure in an email to staff that was obtained by Bloomberg. His Judgment Day are going to be April 28.

Ousted Ethical AI co-leads Timnit Gebru and Mitchell had reported to Bengio and thought of him an ally. In February, Google reorganized the research unit, placing the remaining Ethical AI group members under Marian Croak, cutting Bengio’s responsibilities.

“While i’m looking forward to my next challenge, there’s little question that leaving this excellent team is basically difficult,” Bengio wrote within the email. He didn’t ask Gebru, Mitchell or the disagreements that led to their departures.

Earlier: Google AI Chief Apologizes for Researcher’s Acrimonious Exit

In November, Bengio’s then-manager Megan Kacholia met with Gebru to demand she retract a paper co-written with Mitchell and other Google researchers that criticized an AI technology powering a number of Google’s search results. In early December, Google dismissed Gebru in what she termed a firing and Google has called an acceptance of her resignation. In February, the corporate fired Mitchell.

“I learned such a lot with all of you, in terms of machine learning research in fact , but also on how difficult yet important it’s to arrange an outsized team of researchers so on promote future ambitious research, exploration, rigor, diversity and inclusion,” Bengio wrote in his email.