Google fired its AI researcher Blake Lemoine, who recently claimed that its LaMDA or Language Model for Dialogue Applications gained sentience or human-like characteristics.
The renowned search engine firm initially put Lemoine on paid administrative leave.
It comes after the AI researcher allegedly breached its confidentiality agreement as he has reportedly reached out to the government regarding what he believes to be the sentience of the LaMDA, as per a news story by The Verge.
And now, Lemoine says that Google has officially let go of him.
Google Fires AI Researcher Blake Lemoine
According to the latest report by the Big Technology newsletter, the now ex-Google researcher, Lemoine, revealed that the tech giant has fired him.
The news report says that the AI researcher informed Big Technology that Google dismissed him after weeks of being underpaid administrative leave.
Lemoine disclosed t during the taping of the upcoming episode of the Big Technology Podcast that Google fired him.
The spokesperson of Google, Brain Gabriel, swiftly confirmed to The Verge that the renowned tech giant has already formally let go of its former AI researcher, who believes its AI chatbot is sentient.
The Google spokesperson also says in his email to the online news outlet that they "wish Blake well."
But besides that, the search engine firm also states that its former AI researcher "persistently violated clear employment and data security policies that include the need to safeguard product information."
The Google spokesperson further states that they have reviewed the claims of Lemoine "extensively," but have concluded that they were "wholly unfounded."
The tech behemoth discloses that it has clarified it with him for several months, noting that discussions such as this are part of the open work culture at Google.
The tech giant further reiterates that its LaMDA has been subjected to a total of 11 "distinct reviews."
And on top of that, the renowned firm adds that it has already published a research paper, which explicitly details its "responsible development."
Google AI Researcher Who Claims LaMDA is Sentient
As per the latest report by Engadget, the ex-researcher of the tech giant reached out to the Washington Post last June, claiming that one of their AI projects has become human-like.
Lemoine, who was part of the Responsible AI project at Google, believes that LaMDA, a conversational chatbot, has become sentient.
The now former AI researcher of the tech giant also stated in an interview with Wired that he believes that "LaMDA is a person."
Engadget also notes that Lemoine subsequently wondered if the Google AI has a soul.
After he shared his claims to the Washington Post, Google immediately suspended him, and now the tech giant has confirmed that they are parting ways.
