Google lifts ban on using its AI technology for warfare

Google has updated its guidelines for the use of its artificial intelligence (AI) by removing rules about using AI for purposes that could be harmful for humanity, such as deploying its technology in weapons systems.

In its 6th annual Responsible AI Progress Report, Google describes how it governs, maps, measures and manages AI risks throughout the AI development lifecycle. Among other things, the report highlights findings of over 300 research papers on responsibility and safety topics for responsible AI policies, principles and frameworks.

For a long time, Google was strongly opposed to the use of AI for weapons and surveillance systems. However, the tech company seems to have changed its mind and is now abandoning these principles, because ‘technology has evolved rapidly’.

“We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. 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,” Google promotes its newest insights in a blog post.

Instead, the tech company calls itself a protagonist of ‘responsible development and deployment’.

“Because we understand that AI, as a still-emerging transformative technology, poses new complexities and risks, we consider it an imperative to pursue AI responsibly throughout the development and deployment lifecycle, from design to testing to deployment to iteration, learning as AI advances and uses evolve,” it says.

Regardless of its change of heart, Google promises to consistently continue focusing on widely accepted principles of international law and human rights.

The company considers its position on the newest AI principles as ‘the next phase of AI transformation’.

“The opportunity of AI to assist and improve the lives of people around the world is what ultimately drives us in this work, and we will continue to pursue our bold, responsible, and collaborative approach to AI.”

How using AI technology for developing a new generation of weaponry fits in the picture of protecting humankind, remains unclear.