Microsoft exec called AI scraping ‘the largest theft of labor in human history, new unredacted filings r...

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Published: 2026-09-17T19:46:20.441Z • Permanent link

Microsoft's former Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Kate Starbird, has unleashed a scathing indictment on the practice of AI scraping, calling it "the largest theft of labor in human history". This shocking statement is rooted in new, unredacted filings from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The filings reveal that Google DeepMind, the AI division of Alphabet Inc., has been accused of improperly collecting and using data from researchers and academics in the UK. The allegations center around DeepMind's acquisition of data from researchers, which some argue constitutes unfair competition and a breach of trust.

DeepMind's involvement in the UK's AI research community is complex and multifaceted. The company has partnered with several prominent research institutions, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. However, some researchers have expressed concerns about the ethics of DeepMind's data collection practices, which they argue can compromise the integrity of research and stifle innovation. The CMA's filings have shed light on these concerns, revealing that DeepMind has been accused of using its vast resources to poach researchers and acquire sensitive data.

The implications of these allegations are far-reaching and have significant implications for the global AI research community. Many researchers and academics are now re-evaluating their relationships with DeepMind and other large tech companies, which they fear may be using their data to gain an unfair advantage. The UK's CMA has launched an investigation into the allegations, which is expected to shed more light on the issue in the coming months.

The implications of AI scraping are significant for several reasons. For one, they highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of AI by tech companies. Many researchers and academics are concerned that the lack of transparency in AI development and deployment can lead to unintended consequences, such as biased decision-making and compromised data security. The CMA's investigation into DeepMind's practices is a crucial step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring that the use of AI is fair and transparent.

The allegations also have significant implications for the global AI research community. Many researchers and academics are now re-evaluating their relationships with large tech companies, which they fear may be using their data to gain an unfair advantage. This could lead to a shift towards more open and collaborative research models, where data is shared and analyzed in a transparent and accountable manner. The CMA's investigation into DeepMind's practices is a crucial step towards ensuring that this shift happens in a fair and equitable manner.

The allegations of AI scraping are part of a larger pattern of concerns surrounding the use of AI in tech companies. In recent years, there have been several high-profile scandals involving the use of AI by tech companies, including Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal and Google's acquisition of DeepMind. These scandals have highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of AI, and have sparked a global debate about the ethics of AI development and deployment.