According to the report, around 300 London-based staff have been seeking to join the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in recent weeks, citing unease over Google's alleged sales of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cloud services to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
Google, Google DeepMind, and the CWU did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
The move to unionise comes amid broader internal tensions over Google's involvement in defence-related projects. Media reports suggesting that Google is providing cloud infrastructure and AI solutions to Israeli defence bodies have sparked deep concern among employees, many of whom view such partnerships as ethically troubling, particularly against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical conflicts.
This is not the first time the tech giant has faced internal dissent regarding its business ties to Israel. Last year, Google dismissed 28 employees following protests against a controversial cloud contract known as Project Nimbus, a major initiative involving the Israeli government.
The current push for union representation reflects a broader trend of tech industry workers seeking greater say over how their companies’ technologies are used, particularly in politically sensitive areas like military applications and government surveillance.
As tensions rise, the outcome of the unionisation efforts at Google DeepMind could mark a significant moment not only for the company but for the wider conversation about ethical governance in the AI and tech industries.