Employee revolt once forced Google to back off on military contracts. But, in the wake of a new Pentagon AI contract, their leverage appears limited

Google inks a major contract to help the Pentagon use AI. Hundreds of employees sign an open letter opposing the deal. The company’s leadership initially digs in its heels. Several employees resign in protest. As the employee revolt builds, Google’s management reverses course and opts not to renew the lucrative military relationship.

That was 2018. Back then, Google was the Pentagon’s partner on Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative that used AI to analyze drone surveillance footage as part of targeting workflows.