Google has made a significant update to its AI principles by removing its previous commitment not to develop AI for weapons or surveillance, a pledge that was established in 2018.
This policy change comes on the heels of Google's fourth-quarter earnings report, which fell short of Wall Street expectations, resulting in a 9% drop in share price during after-hours trading.
In response to market concerns, Alphabet, Google's parent company, announced plans to invest approximately $75 billion in AI projects for 2025, marking a 29% increase over previous analyst expectations.
This announcement aligns with a broader trend among Silicon Valley companies to engage with defense contracts amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to US-China relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The shift in policy suggests a renewed engagement with surveillance technologies, positioning Google alongside other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, which have been actively collaborating with U.S. defense authorities.
Google cited rapid technological changes since 2018 as the reason for the update, although it did not specifically address the implications of removing its previous commitment.
In contrast to Google, competitors such as Microsoft and Amazon continue to provide AI services to military and government agencies, advocating for the necessity of advanced technology in defense.
Amidst these changes, Google emphasized its commitment to publishing an annual report on its AI initiatives and progress, highlighting the global competition for AI leadership.
The tech industry is increasingly willing to partner with U.S. defense and surveillance authorities, reflecting a broader political shift and a response to similar adjustments by other companies.
This update was first reported by Bloomberg, indicating a significant policy shift that has garnered attention in the tech community.
Despite internal protests from employees regarding the policy change, Alphabet is leveraging current geopolitical conflicts to expand its operations in defense and surveillance sectors.
Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, noted that Alphabet is now positioning itself similarly to companies like Palantir, Microsoft, and Amazon in terms of government and military collaborations.
