Google Drops AI Weapons Pledge - What You Need to Know

Google Alters AI Ethics Stance, Removes Weapons Ban

A commitment from Google regarding the non-development of artificial intelligence for use in weaponry or surveillance has been removed from its official website this week.

The alteration was initially identified by Bloomberg’s reporting team. It appears the company revised its publicly available page detailing its AI principles, specifically deleting a section previously labeled “applications we will not pursue.” This section was still present on the site as recently as the previous week.

Response to Inquiry

When questioned about this change, Google directed TechCrunch to a recently published blog post focusing on “responsible AI.”

The post articulates that collaboration between companies, governmental bodies, and organizations sharing similar values is crucial for developing AI that safeguards individuals, fosters global economic advancement, and bolsters national security.

Updated AI Principles

Google’s revised AI principles emphasize a dedication to “mitigate unintended or harmful outcomes and avoid unfair bias.”

Furthermore, the company states its intention to align its operations with “widely accepted principles of international law and human rights.”

Internal Concerns and Military Contracts

Google’s contracts with the U.S. and Israeli militaries for cloud services have previously generated internal opposition from its workforce.

The company has consistently asserted that its AI is not employed in ways that cause harm to people.

However, a recent statement from the Pentagon’s chief of AI indicated that certain AI models developed by Google are accelerating the U.S. military’s targeting processes – often referred to as the “kill chain.”

This suggests a potential shift in the application of Google’s technology despite prior ethical declarations.