Tag Archives: employees

Over 1,000 Amazon Employees Raise Concerns About AI’s Impact on Jobs and the Environment

Posted on by
Reply

An open letter signed by over 1,000 Amazon employees has raised “serious concerns” regarding AI development, criticizing the company’s “all costs justified and warp speed” approach. It warns that the implications of such powerful technologies will negatively affect “democracies, our jobs, and our planet.”

Released on Wednesday, this letter was signed anonymously by Amazon employees and comes a month after the company’s announcement about mass layoffs intended to ramp up AI integration within its operations.

The signatories represent a diverse range of roles, including engineers, product managers, and warehouse staff.

Echoing widespread concerns across the tech industry, the letter also gained support from over 2,400 employees at other companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, and Microsoft.

This letter outlines demands aimed at Amazon regarding workplace and environmental issues. Employees are urging the company to provide clean energy for all data centers, ensure that AI-driven products and services do not facilitate “violence, surveillance, and mass deportation,” and establish a working group composed of non-administrators. “They bear significant responsibility for overarching objectives within the organization, the application of AI, the implementation of AI-related layoffs, and addressing the collateral impacts of AI, such as environmental effects.”

This letter is a product of an advocacy group of Amazon employees advocating for climate justice. One worker involved in drafting the letter shared that employees felt compelled to speak out due to adverse experiences with AI tools at work and broader environmental concerns stemming from the AI boom. The employee emphasized the desire for more responsible methods in the development, deployment, and use of technology.

“I signed this letter because executives are increasingly fixated on arbitrary productivity metrics and quotas, using AI to justify pushing themselves and their colleagues to work longer hours or handle more projects with tighter deadlines,” stated a senior software engineer who preferred to remain anonymous.

Climate Change Goals

The letter claims that Amazon is “abandoning climate goals for AI development.”

Like its competitors in the generative AI space, Amazon is heavily investing in new data centers to support its AI tools, which are more resource-intensive and demand significant power. The company plans to allocate $150 billion over the next 15 years for data centers, and has recently disclosed an investment of $15 billion for a data center in northern Indiana and $3 billion for centers in Mississippi.

The letter reports that Amazon’s annual emissions have seen an “approximately 35% increase since 2019,” despite the company’s promises. The report cautions that many of Amazon’s AI infrastructure investments will be in areas where energy demands compel utilities to maintain coal plants or establish new gas facilities.

“‘AI’ is being used as a buzzword to mask a reckless investment in energy-hungry computer chips, which threaten worker power, accumulate resources, and supposedly save us from climate issues,” noted an Amazon customer researcher who requested to remain anonymous. “It would be fantastic to build AI that combats climate change! However, that’s not where Amazon’s billions are directed. They are investing in data centers that squander fossil fuel energy for AI aimed at monitoring, exploiting, and extracting profit from their customers, communities, and government entities.”

In a statement to the Guardian, Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser refuted the employees’ claims and highlighted the company’s climate initiatives. “Alongside being a leading data center operator in efficiency, we have been the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy globally for five consecutive years, with over 600 projects globally,” Glasser stated. “We have also made substantial investments in nuclear energy through our current facilities and emerging SMR technology. These efforts are tangible actions demonstrating our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon across our global operations by 2040.”

AI for Enhanced Productivity

The letter also includes stringent demands regarding AI’s role within Amazon, arising from challenges employees are facing.

Three Amazon employees who spoke with the Guardian claimed that the company was pressuring them to leverage AI tools to boost productivity. “I received a message from my direct boss,” shared a software engineer with over two years at Amazon, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, “about using AI in coding, writing, and general daily tasks to enhance efficiency, stressing that if I don’t actively use AI, I risk falling behind.”

The employee added that not long ago, their manager indicated they were “expected to double their work output due to AI tools,” expressing concern that the anticipated production levels would require fewer personnel and that “the tools simply aren’t bridging the gap.”

Customer researchers shared similar feelings. “I personally feel pressure to incorporate AI into my role, and I’ve heard from numerous colleagues who feel the same pressure…”

“Meanwhile, there is no dialogue about the direct repercussions for us as workers, from unprecedented layoffs to unrealistic output expectations.”

A senior software engineer highlighted that the introduction of AI has led to suboptimal outcomes. The most common scenario involves employees being compelled to use agent code generation tools. “Recently, I worked on a project that was merely cleaned up after an experienced engineer attempted to use AI to generate code for a complex assignment,” the employee revealed. “Unfortunately, none of it functioned as intended, and he had no idea why. In fact, we would have been better off starting from scratch.”

Amazon did not respond to questions regarding employee critiques of its AI workplace policies.

Employees stressed that they are not inherently opposed to AI but wish to see it developed sustainably and with input from those who are directly involved in its creation and application. “I believe Amazon is using AI to justify its control over local resources like water and energy, and it also legitimizes its power over its employees, who face increasing surveillance, accelerated workloads, and implicit termination threats,” a senior software engineer asserted. “There exists a workplace culture that discourages open discussions about the flaws of AI, and one of the objectives of this letter is to show colleagues that many of us share these sentiments and that an alternative route is achievable.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

British Union Claims Rockstar Games Fired Employees Attempting to Unionize

Posted on by
Reply

Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto, faces allegations of “blatant and callous union sabotage” after reportedly terminating over 30 employees whom it claimed were attempting to unionize.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), representing workers in the gaming sector, stated that a UK-based employee was dismissed last week for being part of the IWGB’s games union Discord channel. The workers believe they were targeted for this reason, and the union asserts that this dismissal was illegal and retaliatory.

The Guardian has reached out to Rockstar Games for a response. In a statement to Bloomberg, the company accused the dismissed employees of distributing confidential information in a “public forum,” arguing that “this does not affect anyone’s right to join a union or partake in union activities.”

The IWGB countered this claim, stating that the workers communicated solely through private and legally protected trade union channels, with no information being leaked publicly.

These layoffs occurred just before the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Analysts predict this launch will be the most significant in gaming history, expected to generate billions in revenue. Since its release in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V has generated $8.6 billion, according to the latest financial data from game publisher Take-Two.

On Thursday, the union staged protests outside the British headquarters of Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive in London and the developer’s Edinburgh office, Rockstar North. One protester held a sign that read “Grand Theft Hiring,” while another carried a placard saying “Is the Union Broken?” This refers to the “crushed” screen displayed when players are arrested in Grand Theft Auto.

The launch of Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed once again and is now set for November 2026. Photo: Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images

IWGB organizer Fred Carter participated in the picket in Edinburgh. He shared with the BBC that he was there to support employees who had been dismissed “without warning” and “without reason.”

“We believe these dismissals were due to their trade union membership, which is a protected right in the UK,” he stated. “We urge people to support our cause, demand our jobs back, and hold Rockstar accountable.”

In a statement shared by the IWGB, Peter (a pseudonym) one of the terminated employees, remarked: “It’s uplifting to see so many colleagues rallying behind us and holding management accountable. Clearly, this is an instance of egregious union-busting. Rockstar employs numerous talented developers, all vital in creating the games we produce.”

IWGB Chairman Alex Marshall emphasized that Rockstar Games’ actions have led to a workplace where “hardworking staff are afraid to speak privately about their rights for a fairer workplace and collective voice.”

“Management has shown they are more concerned with union suppression than with the delays of GTA VI, by targeting those who contribute to the game’s creation. Recently, Rockstar has benefited from: [tens of millions] due to tax relief…” he added, noting that “only non-rock star employees participating in the union’s Discord channel were union organizers.”

In recent years, the video game industry has experienced a rise in unionization efforts to combat longstanding practices like “crunching” (extensive unpaid overtime). In 2018, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser revealed that employees were “working 100 hours a week” in preparation for Red Dead Redemption 2, bringing scrutiny to the company’s employee treatment. At that time, Rockstar North’s Rob Nelson candidly stated: “We always strive to improve our working conditions and the balance of our output, and we will not cease our efforts toward improvement.”

On Thursday, the developer announced that Grand Theft Auto VI, initially set for release on May 26, has been rescheduled for late 2026. Development of the game, which has faced multiple postponements, continues with the support of the Edinburgh team.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon Confirms Workforce Reduction Plans, Laying Off 14,000 Employees

Posted on by
Reply

Amazon has announced its intention to lay off 14,000 employees as part of a broader initiative expected to impact tens of thousands of roles.

The Seattle-based retail leader is facing challenges in reversing the extensive hiring surge prompted by the pandemic, working on cost reduction and streamlining its vast operations. This summer, the company’s CEO cautioned white-collar employees about the potential for artificial intelligence to take over their jobs.

Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president, communicated in a memo to employees on Tuesday: “The reductions we are announcing today…are part of our ongoing efforts to further diminish bureaucracy, eliminate layers, and reallocate resources to prioritize investments in our key initiatives and better meet our customers’ current and future needs.”

On Monday, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon is poised to eliminate up to 30,000 corporate positions, according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation, as it attempts to unwind an unprecedented hiring spree triggered by a temporary surge in online shopping during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. CNBC indicates this could mark the largest layoff event in the company’s history.

These layoffs constitute a minor fraction of Amazon’s total 1.55 million global employees, but they significantly impact the company’s roughly 350,000 corporate workforce.

On Monday, Amazon refrained from commenting on the extensive layoffs until Galetti revealed the 14,000 job cuts the following day. He also informed employees that the company will strive to pinpoint “further areas where we can streamline structures, enhance accountability, and achieve efficiency improvements” throughout 2026.

“Some may question why roles would be reduced if the company is performing well,” Galetti expressed. “Across our divisions, we consistently provide excellent customer experiences, innovate swiftly, and deliver outstanding business results. We must acknowledge that the world is evolving rapidly.”

“This wave of AI is the most groundbreaking technology since the Internet, allowing companies to innovate more rapidly than ever throughout existing and completely new market segments.”

Following the initial reports of layoffs, Amazon’s shares, which are set to announce quarterly results later this week, increased by 1.2% on Monday.

Other tech giants have similarly rolled back extensive hiring campaigns initiated during the pandemic. Microsoft; Meta’s parent company, which includes WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook; as well as Google’s parent company, Alphabet, have collectively laid off tens of thousands of workers in recent years.

Back in June, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy informed employees that generative AI technologies, such as autonomous AI agents and chatbots, would reduce staffing requirements in certain roles.

“While it’s challenging to predict the exact impact over time, we anticipate this will lead to workforce reductions in the upcoming years,” Jassy stated in a memo to staff.

In recent times, Amazon has implemented job cuts across various divisions, including devices, communications, podcasting, and more.

This week’s layoffs are projected to influence a broad spectrum of departments within Amazon, including human resources (referred to as people experience), technology, devices and services, and operations, among others. Luck reported that as much as 15% of Amazon’s human resources sector could be affected, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans.

According to Reuters, citing unnamed insiders, managers from impacted teams were informed on Monday that they would receive notifications via email starting the next morning and would be required to undergo training on how to communicate changes with their teams.

Mr. Jassy has previously stated that the company aims to minimize what he refers to as excessive bureaucracy within Amazon, including reducing managerial positions. He also introduced an anonymous complaint line for addressing inefficiencies, which has generated roughly 1,500 responses and led to over 450 process modifications.

Report contributed by Reuters

Source: www.theguardian.com

Microsoft Employees Protest Headquarters Over Company’s Ties to Israeli Military

Posted on by
Reply

Numerous Microsoft employees have taken over the East Campus in Redmond, Washington, to conduct operations in Gaza and protest the exploitation of software by Israeli forces for Palestinian surveillance.

Just three months post the initiation of an independent inquiry into the utilization of Azure software, current and former employees established a “free zone,” displaying placards with messages like “Join the Workers Intifada” and “Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza.”

The demonstration is organized by a group advocating for justice and demands Microsoft to divest from operations in Israel. Earlier this year, employee Joe Lopez interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella at a developer conference.

“Satya, do you think Microsoft is complicit in killing Palestinians?” Lopez questioned.

Protester Hosam Nasr expressed on Tuesday his decision to escalate actions due to a lack of adequate response from Microsoft.

He emphasized that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) seemed personally driven to act after the targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al Sharif, one of five media members killed during surgery earlier this month.

“He reported relentlessly on Gaza amidst the hunger and bombing campaigns. He was intentionally targeted,” Nasr stated.

“This happened the same week when the Guardian reported that Microsoft contained substantial surveillance data gathered from calls made by Palestinians.”

Recently, the Guardian and Israeli +972 magazine disclosed that Unit 8200, the Israeli military intelligence, utilized Azure to store numerous recordings of mobile conversations from Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Seattle Convention Center in May. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP by Getty Images

The company claims it was not involved in “supervising civilians or collecting mobile conversations using Microsoft’s services.”

The Microsoft protests coincide with increasing caution from organizations, including the UN, regarding a “widespread crisis of hunger, malnutrition, and disease” in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that at least 62,000 Palestinians have died since the IDF commenced operations following Hamas’ attack on October 7.

“Each second we delay, the situation in Palestine deteriorates,” stated Nasreen Jaradat, 29, a Microsoft employee.

She added: “People are increasingly hungry and suffering from bombings.”

The protest concluded about two hours later, with police instructing demonstrators to vacate or face arrest for trespassing.

A Microsoft spokesperson indicated that the group was “asked to leave, and they complied.”

The spokesperson mentioned there was nothing further to add to last week’s statement regarding the investigation initiated by Azle over alleged monitoring of Palestinians.

“Following these assessments, which included interviews with numerous employees and document reviews, there was no evidence of Microsoft’s Azure and AI technology being utilized to target or harm individuals in the Gaza conflict.”

Microsoft employs approximately 47,000 individuals in Redmond. Some read flyers distributed by activists on Tuesday, while others enjoyed lunch in nearby restaurants.

A 28-year-old employee observing the protests expressed sympathy but did not believe it would lead to substantial change.

“I doubt it will make a difference,” he stated.

Protesters believe their efforts contribute to raising awareness.

“We are fostering discussions among Microsoft employees, encouraging more open conversations about how their work may contribute to acts of genocide,” remarked another employee, Julius Shan, 28.

People are gradually understanding how the company’s activities correlate with genocide, he explained. “But that’s part of the learning process.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

NW Rehires Employees Following Deep Doge Layoffs

Posted on by
Reply

The administration under Trump intends to reverse most of the cuts made to the National Weather Service earlier this year aimed at improving government efficiency.

According to Mike Flood of R-Neb, Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has received approval to fill 450 roles, which include meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar engineers for the National Weather Service.

This decision is part of an initiative to rehire for these crucial roles. CNN was the first to report that following a summer filled with severe and deadly weather, scrutiny arose over the NWS cuts, prompting bipartisan calls for their cancellation.

An official cited by NBC News noted that NWS staff were involved during the Texas Flood that resulted in over 130 fatalities. This has spurred agencies to rehire hundreds of essential personnel, raising concerns about the reliability of NWS forecasts. This information came from a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on discussing HR matters.

Both Sorensen and Flood expressed their satisfaction with this “postponed news” in a joint statement. They co-hosted discussions around layoffs and early retirements, focusing on safeguarding National Weather Service employees while reclassifying their roles as vital to public safety. Although the bill was presented in the House of Representatives, it has yet to be voted on.

“For months, Congressman and I have been advocating for the necessary support for NOAA and NWS employees who are facing staff reductions,” stated Sorensen in a press release. “The lack of skilled positions has forced NWS offices nationwide to cancel weather balloon launches, abandon overnight staffing, and overburden the remaining meteorologists.

Rep. Mark Alford from R-Mo. also expressed support for the initiative.

A spokesperson for the National Weather Service declined to provide comments.

Officials from NOAA, who were not authorized to speak publicly, informed NBC News that filling the hundreds of vacant positions would take several months. Currently, USAJOBS.GOV lists only nine open roles across NOAA, the parent organization of the National Weather Service.

The NOAA and NWS were not impacted by the controversial cuts implemented during the early months of the second Trump administration, which included job terminations, rehiring, and restructuring of certain employees. The Commerce Department and NOAA dismissed over 600 probationary staff on February 27th, encompassing hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers.

Five former directors of the National Weather Service have cautioned that a shortage of staff could cause “unnecessary loss of life.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Amazon Requests Corporate Employees to ‘Volunteer’ for Grocery Deliveries as Prime Day Approaches

Posted on by
Reply

On Monday, Amazon’s corporate staff were encouraged to volunteer at the company’s warehouse to assist in delivering groceries for the upcoming Prime Day sale.

According to a Slack message obtained by the Guardian that was sent to numerous white-collar employees in the New York City region, from engineers to marketers, an area manager urged team members to “help with Prime Day to connect with our customers on this significant day.” The response to this request remains unclear.

The appeal came just a day before Prime Day was set to start. The manager indicated that volunteers were “needed” for two-hour shifts from 10 AM to 6 PM in Red Hook, Brooklyn, running from Tuesday to Friday. Employees from partner companies at the warehouse will be responsible for selecting products, preparing grocery carts and bags for delivery, packing boxes upon cart arrival, and “boosting morale by distributing snacks.” Volunteers were also encouraged to attend a meeting room for further engagement. The manager emphasized that these efforts would help enhance the connection between the warehouse and corporate teams.

Amazon typically employs thousands of additional warehouse workers in anticipation of its annual Prime Day sale, leading to a surge in demand for orders and deliveries as large online retailers offer substantial discounts on various items. While Amazon Fresh is a service available to Prime members, it operates independently from Amazon’s Whole Foods subsidiary, which is providing discounts this week in celebration of Prime Day. For instance, there is a $30 discount on current member delivery while maintaining a 90-day free trial of delivery services, which includes same-day or next-day options. New York is recognized as one of the busiest areas in the United States.

Amazon spokesperson Griffin Buch stated that this is not the first occasion employees from “grocery” sectors have been “invited to volunteer.”

“This initiative is entirely voluntary and allows company employees to engage more closely with customers while enabling store teams to concentrate on the most essential tasks,” said Buch.

Amazon Fresh has encountered challenges in recent years. As part of cost-cutting measures and issues with profitability in the grocery delivery sector in 2023, CEO Andy Jassy has closed multiple physical Amazon Fresh locations and laid off hundreds of employees in this segment. Overall, Amazon has reduced its workforce by over 27,000 employees since initiating cost-cutting efforts in 2022.

Just a week ago, an Amazon CEO spoke on CNBC about the future, highlighting the use of drones and robots for delivering goods to customers.

Skip past newsletter promotions

“As we progress and increase the application of robotics at fulfillment centers, we will be relying on robots for fulfillment and transportation,” he added.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EPA Employees Label Moves Under Trump as “Declaration of Objection”

Posted on by
Reply

On Monday, a collective of Environmental Protection Agency staff expressed dissent regarding the agency’s policies during the Trump administration, stating it “undermines the EPA’s mission to safeguard human health and the environment.”

More than 170 EPA employees have cited documents and signed anonymously due to concerns of retaliation, according to Jeremy Berg, former editor-in-chief of Science Magazine. This group includes over 70 Nobel Prize winners and other non-EPA scientists and academics.

The letter marks a rare public critique from agency employees who risk facing backlash for voicing their disagreement with the federal administration’s support for climate, environment, and health sciences. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health experienced a similar situation in early June.

“Since its inception in 1970, the EPA has fulfilled its mission by utilizing science, funding, and professional staff to serve Americans. We oppose the current administration’s emphasis on harmful deregulation, misrepresentation of past EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.”

A spokesperson for the agency did not provide an immediate comment when contacted on Monday.

Employees Hope for a Return to EPA’s Core Mission

“I’m genuinely upset. This agency was a beacon for me in my youth. We aren’t upholding the ideals of this agency under the current administration, and we truly desire that,” stated Amelia Herzberg, an EPA environmental protection specialist who is currently on administrative leave from the Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Bureau.

Herzberg’s role focused on protecting the most vulnerable populations impacted by contamination. This includes pregnant and nursing individuals, children and infants, the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, and communities exposed to greater contamination levels. “This shouldn’t be controversial, but it is in today’s political climate,” she remarked.

“Americans should have access to clean water and air without the risk of poisoning. If not, our government has failed,” she asserted.

Berg, who led the National Institute of Integrated Medical Sciences at the NIH from 2003 to 2011, emphasized that the dissent is not driven by partisan agendas but aims to guide employees back to the foundational mission of the EPA, which is fundamentally about “breathing clean air and drinking safe water.”

The letter articulated five primary concerns of EPA employees: disregarding scientific consensus for polluter benefit, reversing progress in vulnerable U.S. communities, dismantling the Research and Development Bureau, and fostering a culture of fear that forces staff to choose between their livelihoods and well-being.

EPA’s Funding Cuts and Regulatory Reversals

Under the administration of Lee Zeldin, the EPA has announced cuts to funding for environmental improvements in minority communities and plans to roll back federal regulations. Air pollution in national parks and tribal lands is also under scrutiny, along with revisiting bans on certain asbestos types and proposed rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants.

Zeldin has initiated a reorganization of EPA’s R&D Office as part of his initiative to reduce budgets and impede research on climate change and environmental justice. Furthermore, he is poised to retract pollution regulations that could reportedly save 30,000 lives and yield $275 billion annually.

“People will die,” stated Carol Grader, a Nobel Prize laureate and professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She referenced last week’s East Coast heatwave as evidence of the real effects of climate change. “If there are no scientists at the EPA, more lives will be lost due to ignorance about our work and its impact on air quality,” she added.

Berg highlighted the significance of the objection declarations from both NIH and EPA employees. These actions reflect a need for consideration about the future of research funding.

When discussing her concerns about potential repercussions, Grader noted that she “experiences all the implications” and frequently engages with graduate students anxious about pursuing scientific careers amidst funding cuts.

She concluded, “If we neglect to support the next generation of scientists, it will lead to long-term consequences: ‘It’s a decades-long issue.’

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Some NOAA Employees Rehired After Dismissal Now Receive Letters Demanding Repayment

Posted on by
Reply

Some former employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who were dismissed, re-hired, and then let go again this spring report having received debt notices from the federal government requiring repayment for medical compensation which they assert they never received.

These workers describe this as the latest chapter in a firing process marked by confusion, inadequate communication, and insufficient documentation, leaving them grappling with fundamental workplace concerns.

Three NOAA employees provided a letter to NBC News labeled “Notice of Payment Request.” Dated June 16, the letter claimed the employee owed money (sometimes several hundred dollars) with potential interest on the amount. It also warned that any unpaid debt would be reported to the Credit Bureau.

“The language is very ominous and threatening,” remarked Salakoury, who was dismissed in late February from his role as director of the agency’s marine acidification program.

It remains unclear how many dismissed employees received this notice; two former NOAA staff members informed NBC News that they did not get such letters.

The notice indicates that the debt pertains to healthcare premiums for the eighth and ninth months of the year, during which the health insurance plan had already lapsed.

“After my termination, they attempted to file a claim related to their health insurance, of which I had no reports,” noted Ya’el Seid-Green, a former special assistant at NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research. “It’s just rubbing salt in the wound regarding how incompetent this is.”

NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster stated the agency could not comment on ongoing personnel issues and was unable to forward inquiries to the HR Administration, which did not respond initially. The Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA, also did not reply.

Following NBC News’s inquiry about the problems at NOAA’s Media Affairs group, probationary employees received an acknowledgment from their representatives about potential errors.

“Our office is aware that you may have received a debt notice from the National Finance Center (NFC),” read an email sent to a probationary employee. “Please be assured that we are collaborating with the NFC to address this matter. No action is required from you at this moment. We will provide further information and updates.”

In February, the Department of Commerce terminated over 600 probationary employees at NOAA, including hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers. Probationary employees typically serve their first or second year in a new position at the agency.

In mid-March, a judge ordered many of these employees reinstated, prompting NOAA to place them on administrative leave. However, in early April, the Supreme Court temporarily halted some of these reinstatements, leading to a second dismissal of the employees.

A former employee stated that the chaotic process of hiring and firing has resulted in documentation errors and confusion, leaving them unable to obtain answers from the agency.

Sabrina Valenti, a former budget analyst at NOAA, expressed concern that she has not yet received her separation paperwork from the agency.

“It has been four months since my termination, and there is no record acknowledging it,” she stated.

Additionally, the employees reported not having access to the health benefits that should have been available during their reinstatement period. Seid-Green underwent surgery in April while on administrative leave.

“We were receiving salaries during administrative leave, and our health insurance contributions were deducted,” she mentioned.

After her surgery, Seid-Green discovered that her health insurance had lapsed.

She subsequently applied to continue her temporary compensation, a program that allows government employees to retroactively cover their health benefits. However, that has also not been successful.

Seid-Green remarked that this effectively means she has been billed twice for health insurance she has not received.

“I’ve received letters demanding over $14,000 for the surgery,” she shared. “Not only did they fail to provide the compensation we were owed, but now they are sending us debt notices for benefits we never received.”

Tim White House, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting environmental workers and monitoring administrative issues, stated that these errors reflect deeper leadership failures within the agency.

“They are inflicting emotional and financial burdens on these employees. The Department of Commerce is at fault. Other agencies have resolved these issues, while they remain persistent in this department,” he concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

OpenAI CEO Claims Meta is Luring Employees with $100 Million Signing Bonuses

Posted on by
Reply

The CEO of OpenAI asserts that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has attempted to attract leading artificial intelligence experts by offering a staggering $100 million (£74 million) “crazy” signing bonus, intensifying the competition for talent in this rapidly expanding industry.

Sam Altman discussed this offer during a podcast on Tuesday. Meta has not confirmed the claims. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, indicated there was no further comment beyond the CEO’s remarks.

“They started making these enormous offers to a lot of people on our team – a signature bonus of $100 million plus compensation,” Altman stated during a podcast hosted by his brother, Jack. “It’s unbelievable. I’m really pleased that none of our top talent has decided to accept it, at least for now.”

He remarked:

Recently, Meta initiated a $15 billion initiative aimed at developing computerized “superintelligence,” AI that can outperform humans in all domains. The company has acquired a significant stake in the startup Scale AI, valued at $29 billion and founded by 28-year-old programmer Alexandr Wang.

Last week, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Deedy Das, tweeted that “the competition for AI talent is absolutely absurd.” Das, principal at Menlo Ventures, noted that despite Meta offering a $2 million salary, he had lost AI candidates to competitors.

In another report from Aintopic, an AI firm backed by Amazon and Google and founded by an engineer who left Altman’s company, it was revealed that it is “poaching the top talent from its two main rivals, OpenAI and DeepMind.”

The race to recruit top developers is driven by rapid advancements in AI technology and the quest to achieve human-level AI capabilities, known as artificial general intelligence. A recent estimate from the Carlisle Group, cited by Bloomberg, forecasts spending on hardware to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030 for computational power.

Some tech firms are acquiring entire companies to secure top talent, such as Meta’s Scale AI investments and Google’s $2.7 billion purchase of Calither.ai last year. He co-authored a 2017 research paper warning that is regarded as a significant contribution to the current wave of large-scale language model AI systems.

Meta began as a social media platform, while OpenAI was originally a nonprofit but transitioned to a for-profit model last year. The two entities now find themselves in competition. Altman expressed skepticism about Meta’s capability in advancing AI, stating, “I don’t believe they are a company that excels at innovation.”

He recalled Zuckerberg’s early assertions about developing social media features during Facebook’s inception, but noted that “it was evident that it wouldn’t resonate with Facebook users.”

Skip past newsletter promotions

“I perceive some similarities here,” Altman remarked.

Despite significant investments in the sector, Altman indicated that the outcomes “should lead to legitimate superintelligence rather than just incremental improvements. [and] It doesn’t have as profound an impact as we might expect.”

“You can achieve these remarkable feats with AI, yet still live your life much as you did two years ago,” he commented.

“I believe the next five to ten years could be pivotal for AI in terms of discovering new scientific advancements, which is a bold assertion, but I genuinely believe it to be true. [AI has accomplished].”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Microsoft Employees Disrupt CEO’s Keynote in Protest Against Pro-Palestinian Technology

Posted on by
Reply

Employees at Microsoft disrupted a keynote speech by the CEO during a pro-Palestinian protest at the company’s annual developer conference on Monday.

Microsoft firmware engineer Joe Lopez, involved in the development of the Azure cloud computing platform, was confronted by security shortly after he challenged Satya Nadella.

“Satya, are you aware that Microsoft is contributing to the deaths of Palestinians?” Lopez exclaimed. “Why not highlight how Israeli war crimes are facilitated by the cloud?”




Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Microsoft Keynote speech – video

Following the incident, Lopez sent out a company-wide email detailing his reasons for protesting.

“As a major global corporation, Microsoft holds significant power to effect positive change. We must either end this ongoing tragedy or cease our technical support for Israel,” the email stated. This statement is also available on Medium. “Should our leadership continue to dismiss this demand, it won’t go unnoticed. The world is waking up to our complicity and is voicing its opposition. Boycotts will escalate, and our reputation will suffer immensely.”

Organizers from a worker-led group named No Azure for Apartheid (NOAA) coordinated protests that coincided with the developer conference. This group has been actively protesting Microsoft’s cloud computing agreements with the Israeli military for over a year, asserting that Azure Cloud services have facilitated the surveillance of Palestinian citizens as well as Israeli military operations. An Ofek Unit manages a database of potential airstrike targets. Leaked documents reportedly reveal that Microsoft has “significant footprints across major military infrastructure” in Israel, according to +972 Magazine.

“The initiative began over a year ago. No Azure for Apartheid campaigns launched in response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding over the past seven months,” noted Anna Hattle, a Microsoft employee and NOAA organizer, in an email to the management on May 15th. Crimes from 77 years ago highlight the critical difference today, where Israeli forces are executing genocidal acts on a much larger scale, aided by Microsoft’s Cloud and AI technologies.”

Skip past newsletter promotions

Lopez’s protest is the second such incident within two months. On April 6, Microsoft employees Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal interrupted an AI event, accusing the company’s AI head, Mustafa Suleyman, of war profiteering. Both employees were subsequently terminated. The current status of Lopez’s job is still unclear. Last year, Google experienced similar internal protests regarding its contracts with the Israeli military.

In response to concerns about Microsoft’s technology being utilized by the Israeli military, Microsoft stated that investigations found no evidence showing that their technology was used to endanger or target civilians. However, the activist group NOAA has disputed this conclusion. Microsoft has yet to issue a comment regarding Lopez’s protest.

“Leadership dismisses our assertion that Azure technology is being employed to target or harm civilians in Gaza. Those of us who are aware understand that this is a blatant falsehood,” Lopez emphasized in his email to staff. “We don’t need internal audits to recognize that key Azure clients are engaged in human rights violations. This reality becomes evident online each day.”

Lopez’s protest coincides with the remembrance of the Nakba, marking 77 years since the event.

Source: www.theguardian.com

SpaceX Employees Cast Votes for “Starbase” in Elon Musk’s Company Town

Posted on by
Reply

Residents of a small area in southern Texas will cast their votes this Saturday to establish a town for Elon Musk. This election will officially create Starbase, situated where SpaceX is set to launch the Texas Rocket.

The locals, formerly known as Bocachica, will decide to transform an unorganized neighborhood into a town with the power to enact city ordinances. The outcomes will likely be influenced heavily by SpaceX employees and their families, who represent a significant portion of the community.

The establishment of Starbase places Musk in a unique position to lead what could be viewed as a company town, reminiscent of industrial magnates from a bygone era. This will represent a minor triumph for one of the world’s wealthiest individuals as he steps beyond his unofficial role in the “Ministry of Government Efficiency.”

Although Musk isn’t officially in charge of Starbase, the city is heavily centered around SpaceX and its employees. As of 2025, Starbase has a population of just over 500, with 260 being SpaceX employees and the remainder mainly their families. As reported by Bloomberg.

Bobby Peden, 36, a proposed mayoral candidate, has been with SpaceX since 2013 and serves as the vice president of Texas testing and launch operations. Along with two other candidates, who are also SpaceX employees, he faces no opposition in the race.

Situated near the Mexican border by a small bay feeding into the Gulf of Mexico, Starbase features prefabricated homes, aircraft carriers, and palm trees lining the streets. A nine-foot golden bust of Musk stands outside, emblazoned with the phrase “Elon aka Memelord.”

Last month, the statue was vandalized, with layers of foam and fiberglass being peeled from its cheeks. An employee-exclusive eatery named Astropub features a neon sign reading “Occupation Mars.” One of the main roads is called “Memes Street.”




Visitors admire a large bust of Elon Musk in Bocachica. Photo: Eric Gay/AP

While the creation of Starbase could be viewed as a vanity project for Musk, it brings with it logistical advantages that have been acknowledged by the company. Workers reiterated this at a legislative hearing in April, indicating that establishing the town would facilitate better logistics and coordination during events like test launches. As reported by the Associated Press.

Opposition to Starbase

While the incorporation of Starbase seems imminent, it faces protests from local activists, particularly regarding voter eligibility in the election. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network has organized demonstrations and is urging community members to contact state representatives to oppose the incorporation. The group asserts that with the establishment of Starbase, SpaceX could gain access to public beaches in the town, restricting others’ access to public land.

“Boca Chica Beach belongs to the people, not to Elon Musk,” the organization lamented on its site. “For generations, residents have frequented Boca Chica Beach for fishing, swimming, recreation, and for the spiritual connection of the Karizo/Comecrudo tribes to the beach.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Over the years, Musk has made bold claims about the future of Starbase, encouraging employees to settle in the area. “Starbase will grow by several thousand in the next year or two,” he tweeted back in 2021.

As Tesla’s performance has plateaued, SpaceX has become an increasingly vital element of Musk’s business empire, with governments awarding the company billions in contracts related to space exploration.

In recent years, Musk has relocated many of his primary residences and businesses to Texas. He resides in a vast $35 million compound in Austin, which includes three separate mansions. During last year’s campaign to reelect Trump, he temporarily moved to Pennsylvania’s swing state.

Musk also spent time in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building while advising Trump, but returned to his company’s oversight in late April after leaving the White House.

Source: www.theguardian.com

NOAA employees witness deliberate interference during workforce reductions

Posted on by
Reply

A group of National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration workers, who were terminated in February, rehired in March, and then fired again in April, claim they experienced payroll issues during that time and did not receive their health insurance plans or essential documents.

Kayla Besong, a physical scientist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, described the situation as intentional chaos and weaponized incompetence. She revealed that she missed one of her final paychecks and was later rehired and fired for the second time after issuing a Tsunami Alert.

Another worker mentioned having to undergo a $70,000 operation without proper insurance coverage.

After initially terminating more than 600 probation employees in February, which included hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers, the Commerce Department and NOAA were ordered to reinstate many of them in March. However, after the Supreme Court suspended some of the reinstatements, NOAA decided to fire the workers for the second time.

Communication issues prevented workers from receiving unemployment benefits and paying out-of-pocket for healthcare costs that should have been covered. Civil servants highlighted these challenges faced by NOAA workers, urging for better support.

Despite multiple attempts to reach out for interviews, neither NOAA nor the Commerce Department responded to NBC News.

Concerns about lack of planning and deliberate chaos have been raised by critics, pointing out the challenges faced by federal employees.

The concerns were outlined in a letter addressed to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, accusing the Ministry of Commerce of engaging in illegal conduct.

Limited communication and lack of proper documentation added to the confusion for affected NOAA workers, who had to rely on former colleagues for assistance.

Former employees shared their struggles with receiving proper information and dealing with administrative issues.

Despite the challenges, some workers remain hopeful of returning to their jobs once the situation is resolved.

The uncertainties surrounding the employment situation have left some workers worried about their future prospects.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Jack Dorsey’s plan to lay off almost 1,000 employees in a new restructuring of his company | Technology

Posted on by
Reply

Block, Jack Dorsey’s Financial Technology Company, is letting go of nearly 1,000 current employees while also implementing other changes to its business in its second major move in over a year.

Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter before founding the Block in 2009 and previously served as the CEO of Twitter, informed employees of the impending layoffs in an email titled “Small Block,” which was seen by the Guardian. The layoffs will impact over 930 employees, transition almost 200 managers to unmanaged roles, and close nearly 800 open positions.

Block operates payment platform Square, money transfer app CashApp, and music streaming service Tidal.

Dorsey stated in the email that the layoffs and organizational changes were not aimed at specific financial targets, replacing individuals with AI, or changing staffing limits. This reorganization follows a previous one in early 2024, where around 1,000 employees were laid off and Dorsey reduced the workforce to approximately 12,000 employees.

Instead, Dorsey explained that this latest reorganization is intended to raise performance standards, streamline the organization, and promote quicker decision-making. Last year, Dorsey used a similar approach in notifying staff about layoffs, emphasizing the need to “rebuild like a startup.”

In the recent email, Dorsey expressed that “we have been slow to act, and that is not fair to individuals or the company.”

The Block’s stocks have declined by 29% this year. Despite Dorsey taking on more operational responsibilities, concerns have been raised by shareholders about the company’s revenue and profits. Dorsey highlighted in the email that part of his role is to increase the company’s stock value, and the reorganization will enable them to focus and execute effectively towards that goal.

“When we identify a need for action, we must act decisively, and there has been a lack of action,” the CEO stated. “We need to enhance accessibility, transparency, and automation as our industry must evolve quickly to stay ahead of changing trends.”

A spokesperson for the Block did not respond to requests for comments or emails.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk Urges Tesla Employees to Hold on to Stock Despite Market Challenges

Posted on by
Reply

During the All Hands meeting at the Company on Thursday, Elon Musk reassured Tesla employees about the automaker’s “bright and exciting” future, encouraging them not to sell their stocks despite the company’s declining valuation.

“There may be challenging times,” the billionaire CEO informed his employees. “But what I want to emphasize is that the future looks incredibly bright and promising, and I am committed to achieving great things that nobody thought possible.”

During the meeting aired on X, Musk urged employees to hold onto their stocks despite a 50% decrease in stock prices. Tesla has faced criticism due to tech executives’ roles in the Trump administration. Following Trump’s reference to Musk as the head of the “Governmental Efficiency Department” (DOGE), the world’s richest person has dismantled the entire federal agency, leading to issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As a response, Tesla owners are considering selling their vehicles, leading to a plummet in the company’s stock price and incidents of destruction of Teslas across the country.

Musk expressed his concerns, stating, “When I read the news, it feels like Armageddon. If you choose not to purchase our products, I understand, but resorting to burning them is unreasonable.”

The day before, Tesla issued a recall for the CyberTruck model due to issues with a part called a can rail, prompting the replacement of the assembly of affected vehicles for free.

Even long-standing financial supporters of the company lament the challenging political environment facing Tesla and the subsequent decline in its performance.

Dan Ives, managing director of Wedbush, described the current situation as a “brand tornado crisis” for Tesla due to the recent events surrounding the company.

Musk’s plea to employees regarding stocks is part of his efforts to stabilize stock prices and boost vehicle sales amid the ongoing challenges. Earlier this month, Musk stood alongside Trump in front of the White House to promote Tesla’s technological capabilities, with Trump expressing interest in purchasing the vehicles.

In conclusion, Musk reiterated his long-standing claims during the meeting, reassuring employees that Tesla vehicles would eventually be able to drive autonomously.

“I urge you to hold onto your stock,” Musk emphasized.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Google settles $28 million lawsuit for allegedly favoring white and Asian employees

Posted on by
Reply

Google has agreed to pay $28 million (£22 million) to settle class action lawsuits by compensating white and Asian employees more and providing them with a higher career track compared to other employees.

The settlement with Alphabet’s Google was preliminarily approved by Judge Charles Adams of Santa Clara County Superior Court in California last week.

Judge Adams described it as “a positive outcome for the class” consisting of at least 6,632 Google employees in California from February 15, 2018 to December 31, 2024.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the settlement, stating, “We refute the allegations of differential treatment and are committed to compensating, hiring, and promoting all our employees fairly.”

The lawsuit was spearheaded by Ana Cantu, who identifies as Mexican and indigenous, on behalf of minority employees at Google from Hispanic, Latino, Indigenous, Native American, and other backgrounds.

Cantu claimed that despite performing exemplary work in Google’s People’s Business and Cloud sector for seven years, she was not compensated or promoted on par with her white and Asian counterparts.

She alleged that Google favored white and Asian employees, placing them in higher “levels” within the company even when performing similar roles as minority employees.

Cantu argued that Google’s actions violated California’s Equal Pay Act, and she left the company in September 2021.

The final settlement amount will be $20 million after deducting legal costs, penalties related to Cantu’s claims under California’s General Civil Attorneys Act, and other expenses totaling $7 million.

Judge Adams has scheduled a hearing in September to review and approve the final settlement. Cantu’s legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Laid off NOAA employees warn of potential impact on weather forecasts and safety measures

Posted on by
Reply

A scientist with a Ph.D. issues tsunami alerts and serves as a Hurricane Hunting Flight Director. Researchers investigate communities that are prone to flooding during storms.

They were part of over 600 workers who were laid off last week by the Trump administration, resulting in around a 5% reduction in the workforce of the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Kayla Besong, a physical scientist at the Tsunami Warning Center, was one of the affected employees. She played a key role in the safety monitoring team, which was reduced from 12 members to 11. She was responsible for programming a system that assessed the risk to the U.S. coastline and issued alerts accordingly.

The layoffs have raised concerns about the impact on public safety programs and the ability to deal with the increasing frequency of weather disasters due to climate change. Last year alone, NOAA recorded a $27 billion disaster that resulted in 568 deaths in the U.S., marking the second-highest death toll since 1980, accounting for inflation.

Meteorologists are facing challenges and criticism, despite their improving accuracy in predicting weather events. The Trump administration’s decision to cut jobs at NOAA has been met with protests and legal challenges. Experts warn that these cuts threaten progress and could hinder crucial scientific advancements.

NOAA has declined to comment on the layoffs, emphasizing its commitment to providing timely information and resources to the public. Former agency officials argue that the cuts jeopardize public safety, especially during weather emergencies.

Congressional Democrats have also opposed the layoffs, citing the impact on public safety and the ability to provide accurate weather forecasts. The cuts have affected essential roles, such as hurricane modeling specialists and flight directors, who play a vital role in predicting and responding to severe weather events.

The reduction in NOAA’s workforce has sparked concerns about the agency’s ability to effectively respond to upcoming weather seasons, potentially putting lives at risk and undermining public safety efforts.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

#Altgov: Covert Coalition of Government Employees Fighting Against Doge from Within the Trump Administration

Posted on by
Reply

aA post from Elon Musk on Saturday afternoon requested that federal employees list five things from the previous week related to emails. This request was expected to reach the inboxes of 2.3 million federal employees, sparking discussions among a secret network of government workers and contractors. These individuals began communicating through an encrypted app to coordinate their responses.

Employees on a 10-hour, four-day schedule did not see the email until Tuesday, missing the deadline for responses. Some employees even added a humorous touch, with one worker joking, “Bonus points to those who say they spent government subsidies on hookers and blows.”

After quickly deliberating, the network agreed on a response strategy. They decided to split the oaths sworn by federal employees into five bullet points, which would be sent back via email. The first point was: “I supported and defended the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Another oath included: “I’ve pledged true faith and loyalty to the same thing.” According to veteran contractor Lynn Stahl, these efforts aimed to expose harmful policies, defend public institutions, and provide citizens with necessary information and support.

Identifying themselves as #Altgov, the network gained visibility with multiple social media accounts, most adopting names or initials of federal agencies. Their goal was to shed light on the chaos caused by the previous administration and combat misinformation.

With around 40 accounts and growing followership, #Altgov engaged in subgroups for information sharing and strategy development using the encrypted messaging app, Wire.

A post from #ALTGOV explaining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo: alt cdc (they/them)/bluesky

The origin of #Altgov dates back to the first Trump administration, with notable accounts like “Alt National Park Service” gaining traction on Twitter. The network evolved to serve the public by coordinating relief efforts and distributing resources during crises.

Transitioning their presence to Bluesky, #Altgov continued their mission to provide value where the government fell short. They expanded their reach by forming new accounts dedicated to specific agencies, like #Altgov FEMA, which focused on disaster response.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Federal employees who joined #Altgov expressed a sense of duty and a desire for transparency in government actions. By uncovering misinformation and providing accurate information, they aimed to empower citizens and hold institutions accountable.

Source: www.theguardian.com

More than 1,000 EPA employees at risk of immediate rejection.

Posted on by
Reply

summary

  • Approximately 1,100 EPA employees received emails that they could lose their job immediately.
  • E-mail is identified as the most likely “care observation” for the recipient. In other words, it means that you work for less than a year at the EPA and have less employment protection.
  • The union representative said that the message was scary for many recipients.

The Trump administration has notified more than 1,000 employees of the Environmental Protection Agency that they could be fired immediately.

According to an e-mail reviewed by NBC NEWS, an agency notified that in less than a year, it has been identified as an employee who is likely to be in the “trial period” in less than a year. I received it.

“As an employee during the probation/trial period, the agency has the right to end you,” says the email. “The probation process is to receive the end notification and the employment ends immediately.”

According to Marie Owens Powell, chairman of the US government employee council 238, a leading union of about 8,500 EPA staff, about 1,100 employees received emails. Powell said she had received an employee list from an agency.

“The probation employees have not been released yet,” Powell said. “As you can imagine, I was afraid that people would receive a message, and we accept questions from those people. Agency can clearly reject the insurance observation employees. But it must be for the cause. ”

Powell added that if an employee was fired, the union added, “Make sure the process has been protected.”

It is not clear how many EPA employees are targeted for reduction. This email comes when the Trump administration promotes strongly to reduce the government. They provided the acquisition of federal employees, trying to temporarily freeze the federal aid, and tried to close US international development agencies. The EPA employees were one of the federal workers who received the acquisition offer entitled “Folk in the Road”.

“This email is one of the series of e -mails received from January 20, most of the EPA, and is certainly a shocking type attack.” Powell said.

Already, she added that union members who worked on diversity, fairness, and inclusive issues are on management leave.

“I am directly engaged with the EPA headquarters career staff,” said Lee Zeldin administrator, a former U.S. national representative in New York, which was confirmed on Wednesday, Molly VaselioU, EPA spokesman.

“EPA is eager to guidance related to President Trump's presidential order,” said Vaseliou. “Our goals are open and transparent. Since we are working to improve the efficiency of the whole government, we understand how all the staff understand the law and how policy decisions will affect. Eventually, the goal is to create a more effective and more effective federal government.

VaselioU did not respond directly to the question of whether the institution would leave the e -mail to workers.

If the worker is fired, the right of their appeal depends on whether they are qualified as employees under federal law, and are employees with employees. It depends on Completed a one -year continuous service。

However, Powell said that several employees with more than a year have received emails and contacted the union.

“The list is definitely defective. Powell said that some of the federal services for more than one year had received e -mails, and for the EPA leader,” This is a practice to correct the list. I added. “

Nicole Cantello, the president of another union, representing EPA employees, knew several employees on the list, but had more than a year. I said.

CNN first reported In emails to EPA workers, some federal employees will be a kind of whiplash, depending on which party is dominated as environmental policy ping -pongs.

“We are concerned that government agencies will carry out mass -disclosure of probation employees,” said Cantello, Cantello.

“Inspection employees are usually released because they do not work well or have discipline. I have never fired a large number of trials in 33 years when I went to the EPA. This is the precedent. There are no scope and scale, “she said,” she added that she had little protection.

“As long as they say the reason, everyone will do something,” said Cantello, mentioning the EPA leader.

Jeremy Simmons, a senior advisor to the former EPA staff, has regarded recent transition between governments as the most “mixed OTIC” in the history of institutions. Simmons worked as an EPA climate advisor from 1994 to 2001, and was in an institution when President George W. Bush was appointed President Birkrinton.

“The transition was defined by a different policy agenda, but it was not this Vindictive Purge, a civil servant who did not do anything wrong,” he said.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Employees claim Trump’s Day policy is already jeopardizing the limited representation of women and minorities in STEM.

Posted on by
Reply

President Donald Trump’s recent order has classified diversity, fairness, and inclusion programs as “discriminatory,” causing concern among women working in federal government-related roles. They believe his directive is aimed at promoting a specific agenda rather than fostering a diverse workforce.

Women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who are employed by the federal government are worried about their future prospects. They fear potential restrictions on STEM career opportunities and feel unwelcome under the current administration.

One female Hispanic STEM worker in a federal organization expressed her concerns anonymously, highlighting the lack of diversity in STEM-related roles and the potential impact of the administration’s policies.

The Trump administration has not yet responded to requests for comments on the issue. However, previous statements from the White House press director emphasized the administration’s focus on merit-based hiring.

The STEM field has long faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with women being underrepresented in these roles. Data from the National Science Engineering Statistics Center shows that women account for more than half of the US population but only one-third of STEM jobs in 2021.

Minority groups, including black and Hispanic workers, also face challenges in advancing their STEM careers. Research from the USDA Forest Bureau in 2023 revealed disparities in the progress and retention of non-white women and men in STEM roles.

“Scientific perfection requires diversity. So it’s important for science.”

A colored federal worker said in the STEM field.

Many federal employees, particularly those from minority backgrounds, believe that diversity is essential for scientific progress. They stress the importance of including diverse perspectives in research teams to improve outcomes.

A biologist working in the federal government shared her experience of benefiting from diversity recruitment programs early in her career. She emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for underrepresented groups to access STEM positions.

The potential sunset of diversity, fairness, and inclusion programs could hinder the recruitment and retention of women and minorities in STEM roles. These programs have historically provided support and guidance to these groups in navigating workplace dynamics and fostering a sense of belonging.

“Having support groups and programs tailored to women and minorities in STEM fields is crucial for creating an inclusive and productive work environment,” one Hispanic federal worker stated.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Call center employees of a major Greek technology company go on strike: “Don’t let me use the toilet”

Posted on by
Reply

CCenter staff at some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Netflix, have all accused the employer of retaliating against union organizers, constantly monitoring staff and denying them even bathroom breaks.

In the United States or Europe, if you're looking for technical or customer support from a major technology company, you might end up talking to an employee at Tele Performance's call center in Greece.

Teleperformance, the world's largest call center operator, Approximately 12,000 workers Based in Greece, we serve over 140 markets around the world in 43 different languages and dialects. The company is 7 multilingual hubs In Greece, it takes place in Athens, Chania and Thessaloniki.

Workers in Greece who have been seeking a collective agreement with Teleperformance say that the company has recently retaliated Targeted firings of union leaders, etc.

they say wages have increased unchanged Since 2010, Greece has been hit by creditor austerity measures despite high inflation and rising costs of living in recent years.

Mr. Nikos Spilleris, a call center worker at Teleperformance, Setep, The union representing teleperformance workers in Greece explained that its efforts began in early 2024 in response to years of no wage increases and increased production pressures placed on workers.




Setep Teleperformance call center employees go on strike in Greece. Photo: SETEP/Courtesy of SETEP

“They judge you on dozens of productivity metrics, and depending on the project, you have to be on the phone multiple times. Not being allowed to go to the bathroom even if you want to. is common,” Spilleris said. “If an employee is sick or absent for any reason, that is considered counterproductive and is grounds for renewing or not renewing the employee’s contract.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Meta dismisses employees for using complimentary meal coupons to buy household items

Posted on by
Reply

Reports suggest that Mehta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, terminated approximately 24 employees at the Los Angeles office for misusing $25 meal credits to purchase items like toothpaste, laundry detergent, and wine glasses.

The tech giant, with a market capitalization of £1.2 trillion and ownership of WhatsApp, took action after an investigation revealed unauthorized food deliveries to employees’ homes. One employee allegedly fired was earning $400,000 and admitted to using meal credits for non-food items and groceries.

On Blind, an anonymous platform, the individual wrote about using meal credits only on days they did not eat at the office, leading to their termination upon admission during an HR probe. Some employees were also found to have used credits for personal items like acne pads, with consequences varying based on the severity of the violation.

Free meals have been a common perk at tech companies, including Meta, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, which offers free meals in large offices but provides daily food credits for smaller sites. These credits include $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch, and $25 for dinner.

Skip past newsletter promotions

In 2022, Meta made changes to its Silicon Valley campus, delaying the free dinner service by 30 minutes to 6:30 p.m. as part of broader cutbacks. This decision sparked discontent among employees as fewer could dine on campus, affecting access to leftover food to take home.

Requests for comment from Meta are pending.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon boosts pay for tens of thousands of UK employees by nearly 10%

Posted on by
Reply

Amazon has announced a pay increase of nearly 10% for tens of thousands of UK workers, rejecting attempts by the GMB union to gain negotiating rights over pay and working conditions.

The online retailer said the increase will see the minimum wage rise by 9.8%, to between £13.50 and £14.50 an hour depending on location. Staff with more than three years of service will receive a minimum wage of between £13.75 and £14.75 an hour.

The pay increase will apply to thousands of employees from September 29th, including those working in Amazon’s UK fulfilment centres.

Amazon’s UK workers have recently staged a series of strikes. The company is investing £550 million in pay increases for staff from 2022 onwards, adding that staff receive benefits such as subsidised meals and discounts.

A spokesman said: “That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’re increasing the minimum starting salary for all frontline employees to the equivalent of at least £28,000 per annum and continuing to offer industry-leading benefits from day one.”

GMB organiser Rachel Fagan said: “Forced to act by workers striking, Amazon’s management has done too little, too late. Amazon’s reputation has been tarnished by the way it treats its workers and now management is trying to cover up the facts. Unsafe working conditions, low pay and excessive oversight are ruining the lives of Amazon workers every day.”

In July, GMB narrowly lost a statutory vote at an Amazon warehouse outside Coventry that led to the union’s formal recognition. In a hotly contested vote, 50.5% of workers rejected recognition of the union.

Workers in Coventry have staged a series of strikes over the past 18 months demanding a £15 an hour minimum wage and the right to negotiate directly with management, and last November they were joined on the picket lines by trade unionists from Europe and the US who have been raising similar issues in their home countries.

Skip Newsletter Promotions

Amazon, which has a global policy of refusing to work with labor unions, preferring to deal directly with employees, is the retail-to-cloud services group founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in 1994 and now worth nearly $2 trillion.

Some workers at the Coventry warehouse have accused Amazon of using union-busting tactics, such as displaying QR codes which, when scanned, would send an email to GMB’s membership department to cancel employees’ membership.

The Labour government has promised to make it easier for trade unions to gain recognition as part of a package of measures aimed at increasing the bargaining power of British workers.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wanderstop: Confronting the Exhausted Employee’s Comfortable Escapism with Challenges | Games

Posted on by
Reply

aAt first glance, Wanderstop seems to stimulate the same restless urge as many other feel-good games: the desire to escape a stressful life into a secluded wilderness. The game begins with you taking a job as an assistant in a tea shop in the forest, where you spend your days cleaning, tending to the garden, and researching the perfect tea blend to satisfy the needs of visiting customers. Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll find that the game rips away the hollow rewards of escapist fantasies.

This idyllic setting was born from an idea that game designer Davey Redden had in mind a few months after the game’s release. Beginner’s Guide for 2015He had a recurring daydream about going to a coffee shop in the woods and lying on a bench by the water. He drew various sketches of that scene for several months, before finally deciding that it would be his next game.

“I thought feel-good games would soothe my soul. But I was so wrong” … Wanderstop. Photo: Ivy Road

“I was feeling extremely exhausted,” he says, “like I was trying to summon up some energy within myself to rest and relax. I thought that some feel-good games would soothe a part of me. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was completely wrong.”

Making a feel-good game is a marathon of hard work, just like making any other game, and one that’s not made easier by a cute sensibility, but Wreden was also consumed by the same illusion at the heart of the genre: that the satisfaction of completing a series of tasks is the same as solace.

It wasn’t until Carla Zimonja, one of the creators of Gone Home, came on board that Welden realized he was making a seemingly heartwarming game about trauma.[We realized Wanderstop’s] “The characters were really conflicted and in a really bad situation,” he says. “And they’re not going to be magically cured by having tea in the middle of the woods.”

The protagonist, Alta, is at the heart of Wonderstop’s heartwarming fantasy, a character who seeks healing through escapism and the mundane. Once a champion fighter and human weapon, she was sharp and violent. “Her whole life and mind is focused on progressing and achieving future accomplishments,” says Redden. Her time in the arena left her traumatized, and she believes completing the tea shop job will help her heal.

If Alta were a player, she’d be a quintessential min-maxer, figuring out the most efficient way to get the coffee shop’s work done in the shortest time possible. She sweeps her broom as if she were swinging a sword. But without spoiling the story, Ureden makes it clear that running through a checklist of wholesome tasks won’t lead to the solace Alta or her customers are looking for. “A character who offers you a cup of tea and says, ‘Great, well done, thank you for cheering me up. Here’s a token of my appreciation!’ and then just walks away is the last thing we can do,” Ureden says. “I think this place is a place where you can be yourself and not just be yourself.” [challenge] If she doesn’t, the activity won’t have the predictable results that players are accustomed to.”

“WonderStop was created not to shatter the comfort zone of gamers and their escapist fantasies, but to change our understanding of where healing comes from,” he said. “In Studio Ghibli films, [we watch] “This is someone doing chores,” Zimonja says, “sweeping the floor, washing dishes, tidying up. You can see that these ritualistic elements, these ongoing acts of maintenance, are important and meaningful parts of living in the world.”

Skip Newsletter Promotions

Through Arta’s story, we learn that tasks are restorative only because of the intrinsic pleasure of performing them, and not, as Redden puts it, “because of the promise of future reward.” As Zimonja adds, “It’s our daily rituals that are the foundation of our lives.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

First union recognition vote begins for Amazon UK employees

Posted on by
Reply

GMB officials recently visited Amazon UK’s Coventry site, initiating a month-long balloting process that brings workers closer to gaining union recognition for the first time.

This move follows Amazon’s rejection of voluntary recognition, leading to an independent central arbitration panel granting GMB the right to hold a legally binding vote.

If employees vote in favor of recognition, GMB will represent them in negotiations regarding pay and working conditions, a historic first for Amazon in the UK.

Over 2,000 employees will participate in meetings with union representatives and company officials, presenting their cases starting Wednesday. The voting process will take place in workplaces from July 8th, with results announced after July 15th.

Amanda Gearing, senior GMB organiser, noted Amazon’s resistance to unionization efforts but highlighted the determination of Coventry workers to improve their conditions.

The ongoing struggle includes union members in Coventry facing challenges like QR codes revoking their union membership and strikes demanding higher wages and a seat at the negotiation table.

Black Friday actions last year saw union members from the US and Europe supporting Coventry workers, showcasing international solidarity in the fight for workers’ rights.

GMB’s success at Amazon’s New York site serves as a model for Coventry workers as they strive for recognition and fair representation.

The GMB aims to secure a majority vote in favor of recognition with at least 40% of frontline workers supporting the decision.

Skip Newsletter Promotions

The Labour Party’s commitment to empowering trade unions reflects a broader push for worker rights and representation.

The TUC’s general secretary, Paul Nowak, emphasized the importance of workers securing better pay and conditions through unionization, countering Amazon’s anti-union tactics.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson highlighted the company’s minimum wage increase and emphasized employees’ choice in joining a union.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI Industry Faces Risks, Employees from OpenAI and Google DeepMind Sound Alarm

Posted on by
Reply

A group of current and former employees from prominent artificial intelligence companies has published an open letter. The committee warned of inadequate safety oversight within the industry and called for better protection for whistleblowers.

The letter, advocating for a “right to warn about artificial intelligence,” is a rare public statement about the risks of AI from employees in a usually secretive industry. It was signed by 11 current and former employees of OpenAI and two current and former Google DeepMind employees, one of whom previously worked at Anthropic.

“AI companies have valuable non-public information about their systems’ capabilities, limitations, safeguards, and risk of harm. However, they have minimal obligations to share this information with governments and none with the public. We cannot rely on companies to share this information voluntarily,” the letter stated.

OpenAI defended its practices, stating that they have hotlines and mechanisms for issue reporting, and they do not release new technology without proper safeguards. Google did not respond immediately to a comment request.

Concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence have been around for years, but the recent AI boom has heightened these concerns, leading regulators to struggle to keep up with technological advancements. While AI companies claim to be developing their technology safely, researchers and employees warn about a lack of oversight to prevent AI tools from exacerbating existing societal harms or creating new ones.

The letter also mentions a bill seeking to enhance protections for AI company employees who raise safety concerns. The bill calls for transparency and accountability principles, including not forcing employees to sign agreements that prevent them from discussing risk-related AI issues publicly.

In a recent report, it was revealed that companies like OpenAI have tactics to discourage employees from freely discussing their work, with consequences for those who speak out. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized for these practices and promised changes to exit procedures.

The open letter echoes concerns raised by former top OpenAI employees about the company’s lack of transparency in its operations. It comes after recent resignations of key OpenAI employees over disagreements about the company’s safety culture.

Source: www.theguardian.com

eBay to lay off 1,000 employees in letter to staff from online retailer

Posted on by
Reply

eBay, an online retailer, has announced that it will cut around 1,000 roles, which is an estimated 9% of its current workforce. eBay CEO Jamie Iannone stated in a letter to employees, “While we are making progress in line with our strategy, our overall headcount and expenses are outpacing business growth.” He added, “To address this, we are implementing organizational changes to align and integrate certain teams to improve the end-to-end experience and better meet the needs of our customers around the world.”


In addition to the job cuts, the company plans to reduce the number of “in-term” contracts. Iannone added, “alternative workforce.” He also stated that company administrators would notify employees whose roles were “eliminated” and asked all eBay staff to work from home on Wednesday “to ensure space and privacy for conversations.” He added, “We recognize that these actions are not something we take lightly and they impact all eBayers. We must say goodbye to people who have made many important contributions to the eBay community and culture, and this is not an easy task.” Last February, eBay laid off 500 employees, 4% of its workforce worldwide, citing a slowdown in consumer spending for the boom in e-commerce spending during the pandemic.

The number of layoffs within Silicon Valley has accelerated recently, with some of the world’s most prominent technology companies instituting large-scale layoff programs in recent months. A memo sent by Google CEO Sundar Pichai earlier this month warned staff that more job cuts could occur this year as the company looks to increase investment in artificial intelligence. The company will cut its workforce by 12,000 in early 2023. This comes after Mark Zuckerberg’s “meta” revealed in March last year that the company plans to cut 10,000 jobs from a peak of 87,000 employees in 2022. This month, language learning app Duolingo also lost about 10% of its contract employees as part of the company’s move to increase its reliance on AI.

Amazon cut hundreds of jobs across its streaming platform Twitch and its film and TV studio division in the second week of January. In December, music streaming service Spotify announced plans to cut 17% of its workforce, which equates to about 1,500 fewer employees.

According to data, more than 13,000 people have been laid off at 72 companies so far this year, according to layoffs.fyi, which tracks job losses in the tech industry.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Alphabet management informs employees to anticipate more job reductions this year

Posted on by
Reply

Google’s CEO told employees to expect additional layoffs this year following recent layoffs that affected 1,000 employees.

In a memo to staff on Wednesday, Sundar Pichai said departments within the tech company continue to make changes and “some roles may be affected.”

Pichai’s memo acknowledged further layoffs reported last week, with the Alphabet Union, which represents workers within Google and its parent company Alphabet, announcing that 1,000 employees were affected.

“We have ambitious goals and will invest in big priorities,” he said in a memo reported by technology news website The Verge. “The reality is that we have to make hard choices to create this investment capacity.”

Pichai said the difficult choices so far include job losses at Google’s divisions, which include search, ad sales and the YouTube platform.

He noted that Alphabet cut 12,000 jobs across Alphabet in January last year, and said the job cuts would not reach that level. The company employed 182,000 people as of September 30 last year, according to its latest quarterly results.

“These role reductions are not at the scale of last year’s reductions and will not affect all teams,” Pichai wrote. “But I know it’s very difficult to see your colleagues and teams affected.”

Pichai announced the layoffs last year, saying Alphabet experienced a hiring boom as demand for tech companies surged during the coronavirus pandemic. He acknowledged that the company had overexpanded and wrote that it “hired for a different economic reality” than the one Alphabet faces now.

Pichai’s Wednesday memo was not on par with 12 months ago, when Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon and Meta made tens of thousands of layoffs to adapt to the post-lockdown economy, sent to employees against the background of technical layoffs elsewhere. In December, Spotify announced it would cut 17% of its global workforce, while Amazon cut hundreds of employees in its Prime Video and Studio divisions, as well as about 500 employees at live streaming platform Twitch announced that he would be fired.

According to a website that tracks job losses in the technology industry. layoff.fyi, the sector has made 7,785 job cuts globally so far this year. By the same time last year, tech companies had laid off even more employees, about 38,000.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Pichai said Wednesday that the latest job cuts are focused on “reducing tiers to simplify execution and increase speed in some areas,” with more role cuts to come. Stated.

“While many of these changes have already been announced, we want to say upfront that some teams will continue to make specific resource allocation decisions throughout the year as needed and some roles will be affected. “There is a possibility that we will be subject to this,” he added.

Google declined to comment.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon lays off hundreds of employees from Twitch and Prime Video

Posted on by
Reply

According to an internal memo sent Wednesday, Amazon is planning to lay off hundreds of employees across streaming and studio operations. The announcement coincided with Twitch, a subsidiary of the e-commerce giant, revealing that it would lay off approximately 35% of its workforce, or around 500 people.

Last year, Amazon cut more than 27,000 jobs as part of its U.S. tech job cuts, marking a departure from the industry’s hiring surge during the pandemic. Facebook and Microsoft each laid off 10,000 employees, while Google cut 12,000 jobs last year.

Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, informed employees that, “As we increase our investments, we will also identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate investments in specific areas to make the most impact, allowing us to focus on content and product initiatives.”

Twitch CEO Dan Clancy acknowledged in a blog post that the company had grown too big based on optimism for faster expansion of the business. “There remains work to do to right-size the company,” Clancy wrote, citing that the size of the organization had been projected optimistically based on future growth rather than its current state.

In recent years, Amazon has been aggressively investing in its media business, including an $8.5 billion deal with MGM and the 2022 release of The Lord of the Rings on Prime Video. The company has also spent approximately $465 million on the first season of “The Power of Power.” Additionally, Amazon plans to run ads on Prime Video in certain markets and introduce a pricier ad-free subscription tier, similar to moves made by competitors like Netflix and Disney.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Report reveals former employee’s criticism of Instagram chief Adam Mosseri’s track record on youth safety

Posted on by
Reply

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri has announced that his employees, even as parent company Meta Inc. faces increased legal scrutiny over concerns that the popular social media app is harming young users, have reportedly prevented or weakened the implementation of youth safety features. Mosseri, whose name frequently appears in a high-profile lawsuit brought by 33 states accusing Meta of having addictive features in its apps that harm the mental health of young people, reportedly ignored “pressure from employees” to install some of its safety features as default settings for Instagram users. According to the information.

Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook say their use is fueling a number of worrying trends among young people, including an increase in depression, anxiety, insomnia, body image issues, and eating disorders. This claim has drawn criticism from critics.

Despite this, Instagram executives have rejected pressure from members of the company’s “welfare team” to include app features that encourage users to stop comparing themselves to others, according to three former employees with knowledge of the details. The feature was implemented despite Mosseri himself acknowledging in an internal email that he considered “social comparisons” to be “an existential problem facing Instagram” and that “social comparisons are for Instagram.” It wasn’t done. [what] According to the state’s complaint, the election interference is against Facebook.

Adam Mosseri was appointed as the head of Instagram in 2018. Reuters

Additionally, a Mosseri-backed feature that addresses the “social comparison” problem by hiding Instagram like counts will eventually be “watered down” and an option that users can manually enable. The report states that this has been set up.

Internally, some employees have reportedly pointed out that the “like hiding” tool would hurt engagement in the app, resulting in less advertising revenue.

While some sources praised Mosseri’s efforts to promote youth safety, one told the magazine that Instagram has a pattern of making such features optional rather than automatically implementing them. There was also

A Meta spokesperson did not specifically answer questions about why the company rejected proposals for tools to combat problems arising from social comparison issues.

“We don’t know what triggers a particular individual to compare themselves to others, so we give people the tools to decide for themselves what they do and don’t want to see on Instagram. ,” a Meta spokesperson told the publication.

A coalition of state attorneys general is suing Instagram and Facebook. shutter stock

Mehta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Post.

Elsewhere, Mosseri allegedly objected to the use of a tool that automatically blocks offensive language in direct message requests. The reason for this, The Information reported, citing two former employees, was “because we thought it might prevent legitimate messages from being sent.”

Finally, Instagram approved an optional “filter” feature in 2021, allowing users to block the company’s curated list of offensive words or compile their own list of offensive phrases and emojis they’d like to block. I made it possible.

The move reportedly infuriated safety staff, including former Meta engineer Arturo Bejar. They believed that people of color should not be forced to confront offensive language in order to address the problem. In November, Mr. Behar testifies before Senate committee About harmful content on Instagram.

“I returned to Instagram with the hope that Adam would be proactive about addressing these issues, but there was no evidence of that in the two years I was there,” Bejart said, initially starting Meta in 2015. He retired in 2007 and returned to a safety management role. the team told the outlet in 2019.

Mehta has been accused of failing to protect young social media users. Just Right – Stock.adobe.com

Meta pushed back against the report, saying Instagram has implemented a series of safety defaults for teen users, including blocking adults 19 and older from sending direct messages to teen accounts that don’t follow them. It was pointed out that the function has been introduced.

For example, Meta said its tool called “Hidden Words,” which hides offensive phrases and emojis, will be enabled by default for teens starting in 2024. The company said it has announced more than 20 policies regarding teen safety since Mosseri took over Instagram. 2018.

Mosseri echoed this, writing that further investments in platform security would “strengthen our business.”

“If teens come to Instagram and feel bullied, receive unwanted advances, or see content that makes them uncomfortable, they will leave and go to a competitor.” said Mosseri. “I know how important this work is, and I know that my leadership will be determined by how much progress we make in this work. I look forward to continuing to do more.” Masu.”

Instagram, led by Adam Mosseri, has reportedly scrapped or watered down proposed safety tools. Getty Images

Mosseri was one of several meth executives who came under scrutiny as part of a major lawsuit filed in October by a coalition of 33 state attorneys general. The lawsuit claimed in part that Meta’s millions of underage Instagram users were the company’s “open secret.” The complaint includes an internal chat from November 2021 in which Mosseri appeared to acknowledge the app’s problems with underage users, saying, “Teens want access to Instagram. , who is my age and wants to get Instagram right now.”

A month later, Mosseri testified before the Senate that children under 13 “are not allowed to use Instagram.” He also told MPs that he believes online safety for young people is “very important”.

Separate from the state legal challenges, Meta is facing a separate lawsuit from New Mexico, alleging it failed to protect young people from alleged sex offenders and flooded them with adult sex material. confronting.

Source: nypost.com

OpenAI investors and employees push back against Sam Altman’s firing, as he advocates for harmony within the company

Posted on by
Reply

Sam Altman on Monday threatened to walk away from his struggling AI startup, even as employees and major investors alike threatened to walk away from the struggling AI startup following the board’s shock move to oust him from the company. He insisted that he and OpenAI are “still one team” and have “one mission.”

Altman is now set to lead Microsoft’s new AI division, despite saying in an open letter that nearly all of OpenAI’s 770 employees will leave the company unless the entire board resigns. He insisted. Greg Brockman is back.

“We’re all going to collaborate in some way. We’re very excited,” Altman said.

“[Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella] My top priority is to ensure that OpenAI continues to thrive, and I am committed to providing full operational continuity to our partners and customers. The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft makes this very possible. ” he added.

Mr. Altman’s remarks were met with a degree of skepticism, given the apparent chaos that followed one of the most unexpected and surprising coup attempts in Silicon Valley history.

The board announced late Friday that it “no longer has confidence in Altman’s ability to continue to lead OpenAI” because he “has not been consistently candid in his communications.”

His firing comes just a few of the announcements that despite having pumped more than $13 billion into OpenAI’s operations, he has blindly fired investment firms such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures, as well as key partners including Microsoft. I found out a minute ago.

Investor Vinod Khosla slams OpenAI board of directors In a scorching column for “The Information.”its members wrote, had made a “serious miscalculation” and “set back the promise of artificial intelligence.”

Sam Altman said OpenAI will continue to operate as “one team.”
Reuters

“Every problem has a solution,” said Josh Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital. His company will be the lead buyer in the planned OpenAI stock sale, which values ​​the company at about $86 billion and is expected to close by the end of the year.

The battle over OpenAI’s future is getting stranger by the minute, with speculation mounting in the private market that a planned stock sale may fall through.

Ken Smythe of private capital advisor Next Round Capital told the Post that OpenAI’s funding plans are likely over, given the turmoil behind the scenes.

As of Monday, some major investors were “considering reducing the value of their holdings in OpenAI to zero.” reported by bloombergThis was reported by a person familiar with the matter. The newspaper said the possible move “appears to be aimed at putting pressure on the board to resign and encourage Mr. Altman to return.”

Satya Nadella
Reuters

Altman’s departure is a “material change in circumstances” and puts Thrive’s participation in the stock sale in doubt, although a sale could occur if Altman is reappointed as OpenAI’s CEO. Gender is still there. Sources told the Financial Times.

Thrive did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Despite Altman’s public statements indicating he has stepped down, Altman himself reportedly has not yet closed the door on returning to his previous role as OpenAI CEO – people familiar with the matter said. The Verge He said he and Brockman are still open to returning, provided all remaining board members agree to resign.

Officials told the media that Altman’s comments about “work”[ing] “Together in some way” was “intended to indicate that the fight continues”.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has emerged as the big winner, having secured Altman’s services, and likely most of OpenAI’s employees, at a fraction of the valuation it would have been valued at last week.

Altman himself reportedly hasn’t closed the door on returning to his previous role as CEO of OpenAI just yet, with sources telling The Verge that he and the aforementioned Greg Brockman are still open to returning. Told.
Getty Images for SXSW

“Microsoft just pulled off one of the biggest coups in recent history, acquiring not only OpenAI’s technology but its employees within 48 hours,” Smythe said.

Nadella said Altman and Brockman will “join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team.”

“We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources they need to succeed,” Nadella said. He added that Microsoft remains “committed to our partnership with OpenAI.” [has] We are confident in our product roadmap. ”

In a scathing open letter, OpenAI staffers accused the board of lacking “competence, judgment, and consideration for our company’s mission and our people,” and said, “If they decide to… has ensured that all OpenAI employees will have a position in this new subsidiary.” stop.

OpenAI’s board of directors has named Emmett Shea, co-founder of the popular video game streaming platform Twitch, as interim CEO.
Reuters

The workers are demanding that OpenAI appoint two new lead independent directors, including former Twitter board chairman Brett Taylor and former U.S. congressman Will Hurd, who resigned from OpenAI’s board earlier this year. (Republican, Texas) emerged as a candidate.

At this time, the OpenAI board has named Emmett Shear, co-founder of the popular video game streaming platform Twitch, as interim CEO.

Mr. Shear is already scrambling to reassure employees and investors. In a lengthy statement posted to Company X, Mr. Shear pledged to reform the company’s management and conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to Mr. Altman’s unexpected departure.

Source: nypost.com