2025-02-05 11:00:10
Google Adjusts AI Ethics Amid Security Concerns
In a significant shift, Alphabet has revised Google's AI ethics pledge, removing its previous commitment not to deploy AI for weapons or surveillance purposes. This decision is framed by the company's belief that AI should bolster national security, aligning with international laws and human rights. Google's leadership, including figures from DeepMind, emphasizes the importance of democracies guiding AI development based on values like freedom, equality, and human rights.
The modification reflects a broader competitive landscape where nations vie to lead AI advancements. It also marks a departure from Google's earlier stance of rejecting contracts like the Pentagon's Project Maven, driven by employee protests and ethical concerns.
This change has sparked internal debates and raised concerns about the potential dangers of autonomous weapons, as highlighted by AI expert Stuart Russell. Critics fear this could lead to increased militarization of AI technology, despite reassurances that the focus remains on human-centric development.
The evolving strategy coincides with Alphabet's recent financial report, which showed lower than expected revenue growth, impacting its stock value. The move aligns with a global trend where tech companies are recalibrating their ethics to adapt to geopolitical pressures and economic expectations. As AI becomes as ubiquitous as mobile phones and the internet, the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility remains a pivotal challenge for Google and its peers.
The modification reflects a broader competitive landscape where nations vie to lead AI advancements. It also marks a departure from Google's earlier stance of rejecting contracts like the Pentagon's Project Maven, driven by employee protests and ethical concerns.
This change has sparked internal debates and raised concerns about the potential dangers of autonomous weapons, as highlighted by AI expert Stuart Russell. Critics fear this could lead to increased militarization of AI technology, despite reassurances that the focus remains on human-centric development.
The evolving strategy coincides with Alphabet's recent financial report, which showed lower than expected revenue growth, impacting its stock value. The move aligns with a global trend where tech companies are recalibrating their ethics to adapt to geopolitical pressures and economic expectations. As AI becomes as ubiquitous as mobile phones and the internet, the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility remains a pivotal challenge for Google and its peers.
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EL PAÍS
Google removes the ban on using AI in weapons or surveillance from its policy
Google updates its ethical principles of AI; removes the prohibition on use in weapons and surveillance; emphasizes the leadership of democracies and collaboration with users to ensure human rights.
DER SPIEGEL
Google no longer explicitly distances itself from AI weapons - DER SPIEGEL
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Google has lifted its commitment not to develop AI for weapons. Instead, the company wants to tie AI development to international laws and human rights. In the past, Google had also promised not to develop AI for surveillance or generally harmful purposes. In addition, Google removed the motto "Don't be evil" from its code of conduct.
heise online
After six years: Google abandons explicit rejection of AI weapons | heise online
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Politics
Google is abandoning its ethical guidelines for AI development after more than 6 years; wants to work with governments and organizations to protect national security; the decision follows a similar U-turn at OpenAI, which is now working with US research institutions on nuclear weapon safety; the rules were introduced in 2018; Google refrained from bidding on the US Department of Defense's cloud system in 2018; the heads of "Technology and Society" and DeepMind explain the revision of the princ..
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