Google renounces AI weapons, will still work with military though
Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Google, has released a set of principles on AI research after a revolt by thousands of employees
Google pledged not to use its powerful artificial intelligence for weapons, illegal surveillance and technologies that cause “overall harm.” But the company said it will keep working with the military in other areas, giving its cloud business the chance to pursue future lucrative government deals.
Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer for Alphabet Inc.’s Google, released a set of principles on Thursday after a revolt by thousands of employees of the internet giant. The charter sets “concrete standards” for how Google will design its AI research, implement its software tools and steer clear of certain work, Pichai said in a blog post.
“How AI is developed and used will have a significant impact on society for many years to come,” Pichai wrote. “As a leader in AI, we feel a special responsibility to get this right.”
Some Google employees and outside critics cautiously welcomed the principles, although they voiced reservations, particularly about language that gives the company ample wiggle room in future decisions.
The seven principles were drawn up to quell concern over Google’s work on Project Maven, a Defense Department initiative to apply AI tools to drone footage. Staff protests forced Google to retreat from the contract last week. The company said on Thursday that if the principles had existed earlier, Google would not have bid for Project Maven.
