Google has appointed Marian Croak, a VP at the company for the past six years, to lead a new centre of expertise on responsible AI within Google Research. Croak will manage 10 teams, including scientists studying the ethical considerations of AI, Reuters reported. She will also oversee teams doing research related to accessibility, social good and fairness in health algorithms.
Croak, a VP of engineering, will report to Google AI chief Jeff Dean. Her appointment follows the dismissal of Ethical AI co-lead Timnit Gebru. Employees have expressed concern that Gebru was unfairly told to leave because she criticized the company.
In a video on Google’s blog, Croak acknowledged dissent in the research areas now under her management. “There’s quite a lot of conflict right now within the field, and it can be polarizing at times, and what I’d like to do is just have people have the conversation in a more diplomatic way,” she said.
