Unity secretly develops AI products for US military

Game development tool company Unity's GovTech unit secretly worked for the US Department of Defense, causing the firm's employees to complain of poor integrity and internal transparency. 

According to VICE, the GovTech unit developed technologies across Unity’s products to help the government adapt AI and machine learning, with some of the technologies ending up with military clients without the knowledge of the employees who developed them.

Internal Unity documents revealed the company is struggled to explain why its employees, who had joined to create tools for game makers, were developing technologies for military purposes. 

The company attempted to manage the situation by issuing a memo titled “GovTech Projects - Communication Protocol,” which instructs managers on how to discuss these contracts with stakeholders. The memo emphasizes that Unity’s work will not be used in live warfighting and that the company is providing a service or solution to Department of Defense companies.

However, the lack of transparency and the potential military applications of their work have left some Unity employees uncomfortable, and calling for more clarity around the company’s government contracts.

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• https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3d4jy/unity-workers-question-company-ethics-as-it-expands-from-video-games-to-war

• https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/unity-employees-demand-better-transparency-over-military-contracts-3027454

• https://kotaku.com/report-unity-employees-not-thrilled-their-work-is-supp-1847541134

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-08-23-report-unitys-transparency-with-its-military-work-causes-employee-concerns

• https://techstory.in/employees-question-unitys-ethics-as-firm-ventures-into-war/

• https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/387238/Report_Unity_staff_concerned_by_lack_of_transparency_over_military_projects.php

• https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-employees-reportedly-arent-happy-about-the-companys-military-dealings/

• https://www.thegamer.com/unity-workers-worried-miliatry/