Written by: Haim Ravia, Dotan Hammer
Google has recently updated its AI ethics guidelines, removing previous restrictions on using its technology in weapons and surveillance. This policy change marks a significant shift in Google’s position on the use of AI for national security purposes. Previously, Google’s AI principles included a section listing “Applications we will not pursue”, which explicitly prohibited the use of AI in weapons, surveillance, and technologies that could cause overall harm or contravene international law and human rights.
The decision to update these principles reflects a broader trend among leading AI developers. In the company’s 2024 report on responsible AI, Google’s executives argue that companies based in democratic countries must serve government and national security clients. They contend that a “global competition” exists for AI leadership, and democracies should lead AI development, guided by values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. Google’s updated AI principles now include provisions for human oversight and testing to mitigate unintended or harmful outcomes, ensuring the technology aligns with international law and human rights. This shift aligns Google with other tech giants, such as Microsoft and Amazon, who have long partnered with the Pentagon and U.S.-allied militaries, like the IDF.
Click here to read Google’s 2024 Responsible AI Report.
