Read the leaked email that Google's AI firm DeepMind sent to staff after the bombshell news its cofounder faced a bullying investigation (GOOG, GOOGL)

<p><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/60d4691c5f52060018bbec96-1126/mustafa suleyman 1831_preview (1).jpeg" alt="Mustafa Suleyman 1831_preview (1)" data-mce-source="DeepMind" border="0"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>DeepMind, the artificial intelligence startup acquired by Google, scrambled to keep staff informed after revelations in the press that one of its cofounders had been subject to an external probe into his conduct.</p><p>In January, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/artificial-intelligence-will-define-googles-future-for-now-its-a-management-challenge-11611676945">revealed</a> that British DeepMind cofounder Mustafa Suleyman was quietly investigated by an external law firm in 2019 after complaints that he bullied staff.</p><p>Suleyman subsequently underwent professional development and was stripped of managerial responsibilities. In late 2019, he left for a vice-president role at Google.</p><p>The Journal's story was the first time most rank-and-file staffers learned that the timing of Suleyman's move to Google was more complicated than it first appeared. Publicly, it appeared Suleyman had <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/deepmind-cofounder-mustafa-suleyman-tweets-leave-2019-8">opted to take a break</a> from DeepMind in mid-2019, before leaving to take up <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/deepmind-cofounder-mustafa-suleyman-leaves-for-google-2019-12">what looked like a more influential role</a> at Google.</p><p>In a memo sent round a day after the Journal's report, published here for the first time, DeepMind's HR staff wrote that the firm had chosen to keep its probe confidential, citing privacy, to allow employees to speak openly. They acknowledged that the Journal's report may have been "hard to read."</p><p>The memo added that Suleyman's management style "fell short of the standards we expect."</p><p>You can read the full memo below.</p><p>You can also read <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/deepmind-mustafa-suleyman-google-allegations-bullying-settlements-2021-8">Insider's in-depth account here of the complaints against Suleyman</a>, including details for the first time about cash settlements to ex-staff.</p><p>Suleyman, now contributing to Google's artificial intelligence policy, said in a statement that he had undergone coaching to improve his managerial style, acknowledging that he sometimes "drove people too hard."</p><p>"These steps helped me reflect, grow and learn personally and professionally," he said in a statement to Insider. "I apologize unequivocally to those who were affected by my past behaviour."</p><p>Suleyman provided the Journal with the same statement before its story dropped on January 26, 2021.</p><p>The following day, DeepMind's HR chief Abbie Bates sent a memo around the office, acknowledging the investigation into Suleyman's behavior, and adding that his "management style fell short of the standards we expect."&nbsp;</p><p>The email references an internal all-hands meeting held by Demis Hassabis, DeepMind's CEO and cofounder.</p><h2>Read the full email below:&nbsp;</h2><blockquote class="blockquote"><section class="blockquote-wrapper"><p><em>Hi all,&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>As you just heard from Demis at DTM, the Wall Street Journal has published an article that refers to Mustafa Suleyman's management style during his time at DeepMind, including an investigation into this - information that has not previously been shared.</em></p><p><em>When concerns are raised about individual employees, our approach is to investigate and take actions confidentially. This is to protect the privacy of all involved, including those who raised the concerns - who need to know they can come forward without details becoming shared widely. This remains our default approach, in line with best practices. I do however understand that it can be hard to read about something like this in the news and would like to share a bit more context on the process we followed.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em><strong>What did we do'&nbsp;</strong></em></p><p><em>We became aware of negative feedback related to Mustafa's management style and engaged an an independent external lawyer to investigate the concerns raised. We found Mustafa's management style fell short of the standards we expect and took the immediate step of restructuring internally and permanently transferred our Applied teams to other leaders including Lila, Colin and Tom. We then agreed he would take time out to reflect, and focus on his development as a leader, which he acknowledged he hadn't prioritised during his decade of sprinting. During this time of personal leave, Mustafa decided to join Google as an individual contributor.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em><strong>Investing in our culture</strong></em></p><p><em>As Demis mentioned at DTM today, DeepMind strives to create an environment built on our values, and we expect everyone to behave in a way that lives up to these; building a workplace in which every DeepMinder is engaged, feels included and can be productive.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Despite our best efforts and intentions as an org and as individuals to create the culture we want, there are and will be times where behaviours fall short, and people have experiences that undermine inclusivity and conflict with our values and intended culture. There are consequences to these behaviours and we will continue to invest in our policies and processes, ensuring you feel safe and supported to share your concerns.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em><strong>A reminder of where to go to raise concerns&nbsp;</strong></em></p><p><em>If you are experiencing anything that undermines inclusivity or makes you feel uncomfortable, please speak to your manager, PgX or P&amp;C Partner - you can read more at go/dm-share.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>If you have any questions or concerns about this specific topic, please reach out to myself, Sam or Dani. And as always, if you are contacted by anyone from the press, get in touch with the Comms team at press@deepmind.com who will be able to help, and of course please refrain from revealing confidential information, including on social media.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Thanks</em></p><p>Abbie</p></section></blockquote><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-deepmind-leaked-email-mustafa-suleyman-bullying-claims-2021-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-1999-russian-apartment-bombings-led-to-putins-rise-to-power-2018-3">How the 1999 Russian apartment bombings led to Putin's rise to power</a></p>
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