Google lifted its long restrictions on applying artificial intelligence technology to develop or use weapons, and use monitoring equipment.
The rules were secretly removed and this 2024 report was found after the publication of the “Responsible AI”, which was first reported by the Washington Post.
Google introduced AI principles in 2018, promising that other AI applications that could usually cause damage, as well as not to use AI for weapons or surveillance purposes. –
The company further vowed not to engage in international law and human rights abuses.
In the latest policy, these clear sanctions were quietly removed.
Google’s AI leaders, Demis County and James Manika made it clear that the company is now investing in AI projects, which benefits people and society, while also considering the potential threats posed by them.
But Google’s move contradicts the biggest conflict in 2018, when the firm was forced to call its “Maun” AI project.
The Maon project was in partnership with the US military and was for the development of AI-DRONE surveillance technology.
Google employees protested very firmly, and forced the firm to take out the surveillance plans.
But now, Google is fine to reuse your AIS for monitoring purposes.
Google is not alone in the AI offer to defense agencies.
Other companies include Openi and Anthropic, who also have deep ties with the US government and defense agencies.
This has shown a deep nexus of technology companies and national security agencies.
Interestingly, Google has been silent on other important issues in its policy.
Recently, when US President Donald Trump said he wanted to name the Gulf of Mexico America, Google said without objection that it could accept the change, provided it was included in official records.
With a change in such a policy through Google, it seems that major tech companies are changing their stance on the use of AI and are likely to move towards the government and the defense agencies.
There may be implications that change its use and effects in the future.
