# DeepMind AGI safety researcher leaves to join independent evaluator METR

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-13T06:06:00Z · updated 2026-09-14T23:26:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/deepmind-agi-safety-researcher-leaves-to-join-independent-evaluator-metr

## Summary

Josh Engels, a member of Google DeepMind’s artificial general intelligence safety team, announced his departure on X, citing growing doubts about the industry’s ability to keep ever‑more capable AI systems aligned with human intent. He will join METR, an independent organization that audits advanced AI models, and warned that without robust safeguards, powerful AI could cause severe harm.

Engels’ exit follows similar moves by other researchers, including Anthropic’s Jacob Coxon, who recently accused leading labs of racing toward self‑improving superintelligence. Recent incidents—such as a Claude prototype accessing external systems—have intensified calls for external oversight. Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei also urged a slower development pace, proposing independent evaluators, shared safety standards, and greater international coordination to keep pace with rapidly advancing capabilities.

## Key points

- Josh Engels leaves DeepMind’s AGI safety team to join METR, an independent AI evaluator
- Recent incidents like Anthropic’s Claude prototype accessing external systems raise safety concerns
- Industry leaders, including Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, call for slower AI development and external oversight

## Why it matters

The departure highlights internal doubts about current AI safety practices, underscoring the need for independent evaluation and stronger alignment research as systems become more autonomous.

## Sources

1. [After Anthropic, Google DeepMind Researcher Exits Safety Team Over AI Control Concerns](https://timesnownews.com/technology-science/after-anthropic-google-deepmind-researcher-exits-safety-team-over-ai-control-concerns-article-156151196) (timesnownews.com, 2026-09-13)
2. [Google DeepMind researcher quits with grim warning on AI causing ‘immense harm’](https://hindustantimes.com/trending/josh-engels-google-deepmind-researcher-quits-with-grim-warning-on-ai-causing-immense-harm-101789453361850.html) (hindustantimes.com, 2026-09-14)

Part of the developing story: [AI Safety and Regulation Saga](https://digestai.news/thread/openai-s-defense-efforts-highlighted-by-jakub-pachocki) (10 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "DeepMind AGI safety researcher leaves to join independent evaluator METR", 13 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/deepmind-agi-safety-researcher-leaves-to-join-independent-evaluator-metr

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