Google has quietly removed its longstanding commitment to abstain from using artificial intelligence for weapons and surveillance applications, a significant policy shift that raises questions about the company’s future AI partnerships, particularly with governments and defense agencies.
Key Takeaways:
- Google removed a section from its AI Principles that previously ruled out developing AI for weapons or surveillance.
- The updated principles emphasize AI’s role in national security and international law.
- The change aligns with Google’s increasing involvement in government and military contracts.
- The move has sparked internal backlash from employees, some of whom previously protested similar initiatives.
Google first introduced its AI Principles in 2018, following employee protests over Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative using AI to analyze drone footage. At the time, the company pledged not to develop AI for applications likely to cause harm, including weapons systems. That language has now disappeared from Google’s AI Principles page.
The updated AI principles, announced by Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and SVP James Manyika, now focus on three core tenets: bold innovation, responsible development and deployment, and collaborative progress.
"We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights," wrote Hassabis and Manyika in their announcement. "And we believe that companies, governments, and organizations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security."
The decision is already causing controversy within the company. Employees have expressed frustration on internal message boards, with some referencing Google’s previous stance against military AI projects.
The shift in Google’s policy comes amid intensifying competition in AI, particularly between the U.S. and China, where national security concerns increasingly shape corporate strategies. Other tech giants, including Microsoft and Amazon, have actively pursued defense contracts, and Google’s new stance suggests a willingness to do the same.