Google Removes Ban on AI for Defense and Surveillance Purposes

Google has made a recent change to its artificial intelligence (AI) policy. In 2018, the company promised not to use its AI technology for harmful purposes, such as weapons and surveillance. However, Google has now removed those guidelines, giving itself more freedom to pursue sensitive AI projects.

The change was announced in a blog post by James Manyika, Google’s senior vice president for research, technology, and society, and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, on Tuesday.

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They explained that the update was necessary due to the rapidly evolving AI landscape and the need for more flexibility in Google’s AI research.

Google’s original AI principles were introduced in 2018 after the company faced backlash from employees and the public for its involvement in a US military drone program.

The guidelines stated that Google would not develop AI technologies that could cause harm, such as weapons, surveillance systems, or tools that undermine human rights.

However, the updated policy removes those specific commitments. Instead, Google promises to implement “appropriate human oversight, due diligence, and feedback mechanisms” to ensure that its AI technologies are used responsibly.

The change has raised concerns among Google employees and AI experts. Parul Koul, a Google software engineer and president of the Alphabet Union Workers-CWA, told Wired that the update is “deeply concerning.” Koul emphasised that Google should not be involved in the development of AI technologies for military or surveillance purposes.

Other experts have also expressed concerns about the potential consequences of Google’s updated AI policy. They argue that the company’s decision to drop its ban on AI for weapons and surveillance could have far-reaching implications for the development and use of AI technologies.

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As reported by Wired, which spoke to multiple Google employees, the company’s decision to update its AI policy has been met with scepticism and concern.

While Google has promised to use its AI technologies responsibly, the removal of its ban on AI for weapons and surveillance has raised questions about the company’s commitment to ethical AI development.

The updated policy has also sparked debate about the role of tech companies in the development of AI technologies.