Former Google worker Meredith Whittaker might quickly be working on the Federal Trade Commission as an AI coverage advisor, according to a report by The Information. Whittaker could also be finest recognized for serving to to prepare a 2018 walkout at Google, the place 20,000 workers protested towards how the corporate dealt with alleged sexual harassment, and for leaving Google afterward, claiming that it had retaliated towards her and different organizers. Now, the FTC appears to be within the strategy of hiring her to assist form laws round AI and Big Tech.

According to The Information, Whittaker hasn’t been formally appointed but, as steps like operating a background verify aren’t full. If she is employed, although, she’ll carry a great deal of expertise — she labored at Google from 2006 to 2019 and has completed work round AI ethics since leaving the corporate.

Besides serving to with the walkout, Whittaker additionally advocated for Google to cease constructing AI for the navy and spoke out towards its ethics evaluations, saying that it solely gave the “appearance of an inclusive debate, rather than seriously contending with the problems in the company.” Upon leaving the corporate, she stated that it was “clear” that it wasn’t a spot the place she might work towards tech accountability.

Whittaker has additionally handled difficulties within the public sphere — she labored on New York City’s algorithm activity pressure, which was designed to ensure that the town’s automated programs have been equitable and had applicable oversight and transparency. When NYC ended up releasing the report, although, she referred to as the hassle “a waste,” echoing considerations raised by different members that dissenting opinions weren’t taken critically or included.

As The Information factors out, although, there are indicators that the FTC could possibly be a extra hospitable place for her concepts if she truly finally ends up working there. The regulator’s new chair, Lina Khan, has stated she needs to focus consideration on tech giants and antitrust, and Amazon has even requested that she not be concerned in instances involving the corporate due to her previous statements about breaking it up. The present administration appears critical about nominating consultants to work on the company, which has struggled to control Big Tech up to now few years.

If the FTC is trying to carry on trade veterans like Whittaker, it could possibly be an extra signal that the company is getting critical about regulating Big Tech. It might assist give some say to individuals who have the technical data and firsthand expertise working at corporations like Google, Amazon, Apple, or Meta, even when efforts to vary issues from inside have been largely ignored.