Google DeepMind Faces Gemini 3.5 Pro Delays Amid Low Morale and Military Controversies
Google DeepMind has reportedly delayed the release of its flagship Gemini 3.5 Pro model by several months. Internal sources attribute these delays to low employee morale, key talent departures, and internal backlash over Google's military contracts. The delays and internal friction highlight the intense pressure Google faces to keep pace with rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic, while balancing ethical concerns from its workforce. This struggle could impact Google's ability to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving generative AI market. While Google has released smaller, cost-effective models like the Gemini Flash series, its flagship model remains stalled. Employees expressed frustration over a Pentagon agreement signed in April, which has contributed to emotional burnout and high-profile departures to competitors.
## BACKGROUND
Google has a history of internal employee protests regarding military contracts, dating back to Project Maven in 2018 and the more recent Project Nimbus, a cloud contract with the Israeli government. These projects often spark ethical debates within the company, leading to employee resignations and public protests over the militarization of AI and cloud technologies.