Google changes stance on AI in weapons development
Google has recently updated its guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI), removing earlier promises not to use AI in harmful ways. Previously, Google had committed to avoiding the use of AI in weapons, surveillance, or any technology that could harm people. This change was noticed by The Washington Post and documented by the Internet Archive.
In line with these updates, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, along with James Manyika, Google’s senior executive for technology and society, shared a new direction in a blog post. They introduced new “core tenets” for AI development, focusing on innovation, teamwork, and “responsible” AI, though without detailed pledges on what “responsible” means.
The blog post explains, “There’s a race around the world to lead in AI, set against a backdrop of complicated international politics. We think that countries with democratic values should take the lead in AI, guided by key principles like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. We also believe that companies, governments, and organizations with these values should collaborate to develop AI that safeguards people, boosts global economic growth, and supports national defense.”
Before these changes, Google had clear policies against developing AI for military or surveillance purposes, as confirmed by Hassabis in a 2015 Wired interview after Google acquired DeepMind. However, Google has engaged in several military projects in the past, like Project Maven in 2018, which involved AI for analyzing drone footage, and the 2021 Project Nimbus, a cloud computing deal with Israel. These projects stirred debate among Google employees who felt they contradicted the company’s ethical AI standards.
By revising its AI ethics, Google aligns more closely with other AI companies like Meta and OpenAI, whose technologies are now allowed for some military applications. Similarly, Amazon’s partnership with Palantir enables the sale of AI from Anthropic to U.S. military and intelligence sectors.