2 Google DeepMind staff quit over Pentagon AI

Two people have quit Google DeepMind, Google's AI lab, over a deal with the US military. The BBC reported it on the 21st of October 2026.

The Pentagon, the US military's main office, may use the AI for secret work. Google has no say in how, The Information wrote in April.

Sofia Liguori left on the 20th of October and felt "ashamed"

Sofia Liguori is a research engineer in London. Her last day was the 20th of October 2026, she wrote on her website.

Google's push for AI in the military "makes me feel ashamed to work at Google," she told the BBC. She had been on leave since Google signed the deal, her letter says.

Andreas Kirsch left in late September and said Google has no veto

Andreas Kirsch, a senior researcher, wrote on X on the 1st of October 2026 that he left "at the end of last week".

"Google seems to have no right to control or veto how the Pentagon uses its AI," he told the BBC. A veto is the power to say no.

Below we break down the Pentagon deal Google signed in April

Google signed it on the 27th of April 2026, The Information wrote. Reuters, a news service, could not check that.

It allows "any lawful government purpose", so any use the law allows, Reuters wrote. Google must help change its AI safety settings if asked.

The AI "should not be used" to spy on people at home, the BBC wrote. Nor should it run weapons that pick targets alone, with no human in charge.

Kirsch wrote in an essay that "should not" sets no firm rule. OpenAI, Amazon and Microsoft signed such deals too, the BBC said.

Google told the BBC it checks each deal against its rules

Google follows "a consistent process for reviewing and entering these contracts," it told the BBC. That covers its own AI rules.

It also has rules "to prevent retaliation of any kind," meaning punishment for speaking up.

What is confirmed and what is not

Kirsch's post points to late September, and the BBC wrote "earlier this month".

Google has not shown the deal. The BBC says several staff left, and named two.

Key facts

Sofia Liguori left Google DeepMind on the 20th of October 2026.

Andreas Kirsch said on the 1st of October that he had left.

Both quit over Google's April deal with the US military.