Google Alters AI Ethics Policy, Opens Door to Military Applications

Google has quietly removed a key restriction from its AI principles, signalling a shift in its stance on the use of artificial intelligence for potentially harmful applications, including military weaponry.

The change, first reported by Bloomberg, eliminates a section from Google’s AI guidelines that previously stated the company would not pursue AI projects “that cause or are likely to cause overall harm.” This included a specific commitment to avoiding AI development for weapons.

In response to inquiries about the policy revision, Google pointed to a blog post from senior vice president James Manyika and Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind. The post emphasized the need for democratic nations to lead AI advancements while upholding values such as freedom, equality, and human rights. It also encouraged collaboration between governments, corporations, and organizations to create AI systems that enhance security while protecting people.

However, experts in the AI ethics field have raised concerns about the implications of this change. Margaret Mitchell, a former co-lead of Google’s ethical AI team and now chief ethics scientist at Hugging Face, warned that removing the “harm” clause could lead to AI applications directly involved in lethal military operations.

Google’s shift reflects a broader trend among tech giants scaling back ethical commitments. Companies like Meta and Amazon have recently reduced diversity and inclusion initiatives, while Meta also ended its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. last month.

Despite previous assurances that its AI would not be used to harm humans, Google has increasingly expanded its partnerships with military organizations. In recent years, the company has provided cloud services to both the U.S. and Israeli militaries, moves that have sparked internal employee protests.

While the decision is likely to draw criticism, Google appears to be positioning itself for greater competition in the defence sector. By relaxing its AI ethics policy, the company may gain access to lucrative government contracts, fueling further AI advancements in security and military applications.