Recently, Google removed content from its official website that previously committed to not developing artificial intelligence (AI) for weapons or surveillance, sparking widespread discussion and concern. According to a report by Bloomberg, this change occurred when Google updated its public AI principles page, with the section that explicitly mentioned "applications we will not pursue" completely deleted, which came as a surprise.
Image source note: Image generated by AI, licensed by service provider Midjourney
When asked for their views on this change, Google pointed to a new blog post about "Responsible AI" to Tech Crunch. The article mentioned that Google believes businesses, governments, and organizations should work together to create AI that protects humanity, promotes global growth, and supports national security. This statement indicates a shift in Google's direction for AI development, seemingly placing greater emphasis on alignment with national interests.
In the updated AI principles, Google committed to "mitigating unintended or harmful outcomes and avoiding unfair bias," while also emphasizing alignment with "international law and universally accepted principles of human rights." In recent years, Google's cloud service contracts with the U.S. and Israeli military have sparked protests from internal employees, many of whom are concerned that the company's technology could be used for military purposes. Despite Google's repeated assertions that its AI is not used to harm humans, the head of AI at the U.S. Department of Defense has stated that some of Google's AI models are accelerating the military's attack chain, raising concerns about the applications of Google's AI.
The removal of this commitment seems to indicate that Google's stance in the field of artificial intelligence is changing, potentially leading to more open cooperation with military and surveillance projects in future technological developments. This new dynamic from Google will undoubtedly continue to provoke in-depth discussions about technology ethics and national security.
Key points:
🔍 Google has removed its commitment to not develop weapons and surveillance AI, drawing public attention.
🤝 The company emphasizes collaboration with national security and advocates for joint development of AI.
⚖️ The new principles stress mitigating adverse outcomes and adhering to international law and human rights, amid pressure for military cooperation.
