We received feedback from a grant application that included "While your impact metrics & thoughtful approach to addressing systemic issues in AI are impressive, some reviewers noted the inherent risks of navigating this space without alignment with larger corporate players,"
AKA you can't do tech without BigTech's pervasive influence, as your mission statement states, in spite of your track record and in spite of their track record of harm.
Make. It. Make. Sense.