Google quietly drops pledge against using AI for weapons

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 09:34

The revisions come just weeks after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and other tech leaders attended the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

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Google logos are shown when searched on Google in New York, Sept. 11, 2023. (AP)

Google has quietly removed its previous commitments not to use artificial intelligence for weapons or surveillance, according to an updated set of AI principles released on Tuesday.

The revisions come just weeks after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and other tech leaders attended the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. When asked about the change, a Google spokesperson referred to a blog post outlining the company's AI principles, which no longer included previous promises made by Pichai in 2018.

In the updated post, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis and senior vice president James Manyika wrote, "We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights."

They added that "companies, governments, and organizations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security."

Pichai had previously assured that Google would not develop AI for weapons that harm people or for surveillance violating international norms. However, this specific wording was absent from the newly published AI principles.

Trump’s reversal of AI regulations eases oversight for US tech companies

The policy shift comes as Trump swiftly reversed an executive order by former President Joe Biden that mandated AI safety practices. With fewer regulatory obligations, US tech companies competing in AI development no longer need to share test results indicating serious risks to national security, the economy, or the public.

Google defended its commitment to transparency, stating in the blog post that it releases an annual report on its AI work and progress.

"There's a global competition taking place for AI leadership within an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape," Hassabis and Manyika wrote. "Billions of people are using AI in their everyday lives."

Google’s original AI principles were established following internal protests over its involvement in a Pentagon research project aimed at improving weapons targeting through AI.

In response to employee backlash, Google withdrew from the project—but the latest revisions signal a potential shift in its stance on military AI applications.